Question Period Note: EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFIT

• A post-military career is a key factor in providing Veterans a sense of purpose, financial security, and overall well-being.

• We have proudly fulfilled our commitment to deliver an Education and Training Benefit to Veterans.

• The Education and Training Benefit provides flexibility and financial support so that each Veteran can make the choices that best suit their needs and those of their families.

• As of April 1, 2018, honourably released Veterans with 6 years of service (2,191 days) are able to receive up to $40,960 and those with 12 years of service (4,382 days) are able to receive up to $81,920.

• Education and Training Benefit funding totaled $12.3M in 2018-2019. In 2019-2020, the Education and Training Benefit has provided funding to 1,706 Veterans (1,135 Veterans accessed a formal plan; 571 Veterans accessed a short course) as of September 30, 2019.

• As of July, 5, 2019, Supplementary Reservists—who previously had to release from the Canadian Armed Forces to access the benefit—have access to this additional support to help them transition to post-military careers and life.

BACKGROUND - EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFIT

The Education and Training Benefit supports Veterans to successfully transition from military to civilian life, achieve their education and post-military employment goals, and better position them to be more competitive in the civilian workforce. It also permits Veterans to pursue activities that give them purpose and result in them feeling satisfied with their main job or activity.

The Education and Training Benefit was introduced in response to a mandate commitment to create an education benefit for Veterans. It provides funding to support Veterans in pursuing university, college or technical training, that result in certification, professional designations, or professional development. This is a taxable benefit.

The Education and Training Benefit provides support for education costs, such as tuition and required course materials for college, university or technical education programs at approved institutions. Depending on the program costs, Veterans may also use the funding to support some incidentals and living expenses while they are attending school. The benefit can also provide some funding in support of professional and personal development courses.

Veterans will not be limited to formal post-secondary training. If university or college is not their choice, up to $5,120 of the total funding earned would be available for career and personal development courses.

All maximum amounts are indexed annually by the Consumer Price Index. 2019 rates are $40,960, $81,920 for formal programs and $5,120 for short courses.

In Budget 2019, the Government amended legislation for the Education and Training Benefit so that members of the Supplementary Reserve can access the Benefit. Under the amendments, Supplementary Reservists—who previously had to release from the Canadian Armed Forces to access this benefit—now have access to this additional support as of July 5th, 2019, to help them transition to post-military careers.

Veterans who have successfully completed their formal education program and have received a degree, diploma or other certification for which the Education and Training Benefit was paid will be eligible for a one-time taxable completion bonus of $1,000.

The benefit was announced on March 23, 2017, as part of the Government of Canada’s Budget 2017.

The Education and Training Benefit was designed to complement the redesigned Career Transition Services program, also announced in the 2017 budget, to assist Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, spouses/common-law partners and survivors with services such as career counselling, job-placement and job-finding assistance.

Statistics
As of September 30th, 2019, the Education and Training Benefit has provided funding to 1,706 Veterans (1135 Veterans accessed a formal plan; 571 Veterans accessed a short course). Education and Training Benefit funding in 2018-19 totaled $12.3M. In 2019-20, it is forecasted that Education and Training Benefit will provide funding to 1950 Veterans, totaling $29.6 M

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