Question Period Note: LIFE AFTER SERVICE STUDIES 2016 SURVEY FINDINGS

• The Life After Service Studies program of research is designed to further understand the transition experiences of Canadian Veterans as they move from military to civilian life. Life After Service Studies partners are Veterans Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence and Statistics Canada.

• Over half of Regular Force Veterans (52%) surveyed in 2016 reported an easy adjustment to civilian life. However, approximately one third (32%) had difficulty. Veterans had higher rates than Canadians for many chronic conditions, including arthritis, mental health disorders, and hearing problems.

• Life After Service Studies findings have provided evidence to inform the efforts of both Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence to support transition to civilian life including increasing the number of Veterans Affairs Canada Case Managers across the country; enhanced support for mental health, including the Veterans Affairs Canada/Canadian Armed Forces Joint Suicide Prevention Strategy, and a new Veterans' Education and Training Benefit.

• Life After Service Studies 2016 findings will continue to contribute to improvements to programs, benefits, communications and outreach, to ultimately improve the health and well-being of Veterans in Canada.

BACKGROUND - Life After Service Survey 2016

The Life After Service Studies program of research is designed to further understand the transition experiences of Canadian Veterans as they move from military to civilian life. Life After Service Studies partners are Veterans Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence /Canadian Armed Forces and Statistics Canada. The findings inform programs and services designed to support the well-being of Canadian Veterans and their families. Life After Service Studies 2016 expands on the earlier studies from 2010 and 2013. In 2016, 2755 Regular Force Veterans (released between 1998 and 2015 at post-entry rank) participated in a Statistics Canada telephone survey. Some initial findings are outlined below. Additional analysis will be covered in subsequent reports.

1) Adjustment to Civilian Life
Over half of Regular Force Veterans (52%) reported an easy adjustment to civilian life. However, 32% had difficulty. Factors associated with difficult adjustment included low rank at release, less than 10 years of service, unemployment and chronic health conditions.

2) Employment
In 2016, 65% of Regular Force Veterans were working. Their unemployment rate was similar to that of comparable Canadians (both about 8%). Of those who were working, 81% were satisfied with their job.

3) Low Income
At 4%, Veterans were much less likely than comparable Canadians (14%) to report low income (based on Statistics Canada’s Low Income Measure threshold). Most (69%) were satisfied with their finances.

4) Chronic Conditions More Common
Conditions like arthritis, back problems, depression, obesity, hearing problems and activity limitations were more prevalent among Veterans than comparable Canadians. Veterans also reported chronic pain at much higher rates (41% vs 22%).

5) Effect of Release on Families
When asked about the effect their release had on the family, most Veterans reported that the transition was easy for their children (60%) and their partner (57%). However, a difficult adjustment was reported for 17% of children and 28% of partners.

6) Snapshot of Characteristics of Veterans
Mean Age = 48
Male/Female = 88% / 12%
Married/Common Law = 77%
Mean Years since Release = 8.6
Served <10 years = 31%
Served 20+ years = 54%
Had deployed = 74%
Satisfied with Life = 84%

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