Question Period Note: STE. ANNE’S HOSPITAL

• On April 1, 2016, the Ste. Anne’s Hospital was the last of the former Veterans’ hospitals to be transferred from federal to provincial jurisdiction.

• It is now one of over 1,200 provincially and privately owned and operated facilities where Veterans Affairs Canada supports the long term care needs of Veterans.

• Veterans Affairs Canada continues to work closely with the Government of Quebec, as we do with other provinces, health authorities, and facilities, to find solutions that ensure the health and well-being of Veterans.

BACKGROUND: STE. ANNE’S HOSPITAL

Veterans Affairs Canada’s priority is to preserve priority access to beds and the high quality of care for eligible war Veterans at Ste. Anne’s Hospital in the official language of their choice. The Ste. Anne's Hospital transfer agreement is the official commitment to the negotiated positions agreed upon between both levels of government in the transfer of the hospital.

Veterans Affairs Canada supports Veterans in long term care at the Ste. Anne’s Hospital in two ways. First, through its funding, the Department subsidizes the accommodation and meal costs of eligible Veterans such that the maximum amount any Veteran needs to contribute toward their monthly resident fees is $1058/month. Second, per diem funding is provided to support an enhanced level of services and specialized programs for War Veteran residents. Financial support is also provided for the operation of the Day Centre that offers social activities, exercise programs, and access to health care including foot care and occupational therapy.

Since April 2017, a Veterans Affairs Canada employee (VAC Liaison Officer) is on-site at Ste. Anne’s Hospital. A working group with representatives from Veterans Affairs Canada, the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre, and the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services continue to work together to identify solutions to current issues.

Veterans Affairs Canada continues to pursue a provincial agreement to designate 10 beds for “preferred admission” of other Veterans.

On October 1, 2019, there were 119 Veteran residents at Ste. Anne’s Hospital.

OPERATIONAL STRESS INJURY CLINICS

The two Operational Stress Injury clinics located at Ste. Anne’s Hospital—the Ste. Anne’s Operational Stress Injury Clinic and the Residential Treatment Clinic for Operational Stress Injuries - now fall under provincial jurisdiction, as do the other Operational Stress Injury clinics across the country. The Department continues to provide the funding for the clinics and Veterans and their families continue to have access to the clinical services for which they are eligible.

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