Letter to MVA: Hidden Battles report

22 August 2023

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, PC, MP
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Department of Veterans Affairs Canada
66 Slater Street, 13th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0P4

Dear Minister Petitpas Taylor,

Please allow me to congratulate you on your recent appointment as Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the work my Office does to bring fairness and promote positive improvements for members of the Defence Community. In your current role, you will have unique insights into key issues facing current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces, especially in the critical domain of military to civilian transition. With your professional background, I also believe that issues pertaining to military and veterans’ families, and mental health will be of particular interest.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to bring your attention to a report that we submitted to Minister Anand on 29 June 2023, and to Minister Blair on 14 August 2023. This report was submitted to Ministers Anand and Blair pursuant to paragraph 38(1)(b) of the Ministerial Directives in respect to the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces and will be published in early September. The enclosed report—Hidden Battles: A systemic investigation into the identification of mental health needs and support for Primary Reserve members participating in domestic operations—makes six evidence-based recommendations. If accepted and implemented, these recommendations will bring long-lasting, positive change to CAF members. Additionally, our office believes timely implementation will assist the CAF’s efforts to fulfill its commitments made to the Defence community in Strong, Secure, Engaged and the Total Health and Wellness Strategy.

While we have already briefed the office of the Minister of National Defence on the report, we would be pleased to offer an additional briefing to you in your function as Associate Minister of National Defence at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Gregory A. Lick

Ombudsman

CC. The Honourable Bill Blair, PC, COM, MP