Minister of Veterans Affairs affirms Government's commitment to Canada's Veterans and their families

News Release

The Honourable Erin O’Toole addresses the Rotary Club of Toronto

January 23, 2015 – Toronto – Veterans Affairs Canada

The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today delivered the keynote address at a Rotary Club of Toronto meeting focussed on care, compassion and respect for Canada’s Veterans.

The Minister thanked the Rotary Club of Toronto for its outstanding contributions to the Veteran community, and reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to improving the lives of Veterans and their families by strengthening mental health supports and helping those who have served in uniform transition to civilian life.

Earlier today Minister O’Toole also met with Veterans’ groups in Toronto to gain their perspectives on key issues facing Veterans and their families.

Quick facts

As part of its commitment to Veterans and their families, the Government of Canada recently announced new mental health supports for Canadian Armed Forces personnel, Veterans and their families including the expansion of the network of operational stress injury clinics. By fall 2015, a new clinic will open in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the existing satellite office in the Greater Toronto Area will be expanded—along with several others.
The network of operational stress injury clinics provides specialized assessment, diagnostic and treatment services for Veterans/CAF members with operational stress injuries.
Additional staff will also join the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) services to meet the needs of the military community. This peer support program provides immediate assistance to members, Veterans and their families living with operational stress injuries.
Rotary is made up of more than 34,000 clubs, with 1.2 million members. With its more than 250 members, including Veterans, the Rotary Club of Toronto is one of the largest clubs in Canada. The Rotary Club of Toronto supports programs to improve the quality of life for certain segments of the population in the urban community.
During the 2011 Poppy Campaign, the Rotary Club of Toronto donated $5,000 to the Royal Canadian Legion to help cover the loss of three Remembrance Day money boxes that were stolen. Each year, the Club commemorates the achievements and sacrifices of Canada’s Veterans with a special luncheon.

Quotes

"The Rotary Club of Toronto has done an outstanding job raising awareness in the community of the remarkable achievements and contributions made by Canada's Veterans. I was honoured to address the Rotary Club of Toronto to talk about how to best meet the evolving needs of our Veterans and their families."
The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs

"We are honoured to welcome Minister O’Toole to our meeting today. We are grateful for his support and proud of being part of his continuous efforts to ensure that Veterans and their families get the support they need."
Steven Smith, President of the Rotary Club of Toronto

Related products

– 30 –

Contacts

Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649

Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468

Search for related information by keyword

Veterans Affairs Canada Persons Information and Communications Government and Politics

Page details

2016-12-14

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

Minister of Veterans Affairs affirms Government's commitment to Canada's Veterans and their families

News Release

Page details