Veterans Affairs Canada and Royal Canadian Legion partner to expand outreach to Veterans in long-term care
Reference N14055E
June 16, 2014 – Edmonton, AB – Veterans Affairs Canada
At the 45th Dominion Convention of the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada will increase its funding to the RCL for its Veteran outreach and visitation initiative and extend the contract for an additional year.
The Government of Canada will double its funding from $120,000 to $240,000, allowing the RCL to increase the number of visits from 4,000 to 8,000 per year. Veterans will also receive visits until October 14, 2015, as a result of the contract extension.
By tapping into the RCL’s national network of volunteers, the Government of Canada can maintain personal contact with Veterans in long-term care facilities across Canada. The partnership provides Veterans, who may not have any reason to be in touch with Veterans Affairs Canada, with an avenue to identify needs that can then be followed-up on and addressed.
An estimated 1,200 delegates from across Canada, the United States, Europe and Mexico gathered in Edmonton, Alberta this week for the RCL Convention. Minister Fantino also presented Dominion President, Gordon Moore, with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation award for his nearly three decades of service to the RCL and the Veterans community.
Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649
Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
