Question Period Note: REMOTE/RURAL SERVICES TO VETERANS

• Veterans Affairs Canada is dedicated to making sure Veterans and their families have the support they need, when and where they need it.

• Veterans Affairs Canada serves Veterans: in person at our Veterans Affairs Canada offices, Transition Centers and through Service Canada Centers; over the phone through our National Client Contact Centre; and, through secure message via My VAC Account.

• Veterans Affairs Canada Case Managers deliver case management services to all parts of Canada including rural and remote areas. Veterans can also receive home visits from Veterans Affairs Canada Case Managers or Veteran Service Agents, health professionals, like registered nurses, when required.

Background - SERVICING VETERANS IN RURAL AND REMOTE AREAS

Veterans Affairs Canada has reopened the nine Veterans Affairs offices that were previously closed and has opened a tenth, new office in Surrey, B.C in May 2017.

As part of re-opening offices across the country, Veterans Affairs Canada also expanded its outreach to Veterans and their families in the territories and other northern communities. Veterans Affairs Canada staff is ensuring a presence in the territories and other northern communities regularly to meet with Veterans and their families to help them receive services and benefits when and where they need them.

We have also hired more frontline staff to ensure our Veterans are getting the support they need.

Furthermore, this Government has committed to a whole of Government approach to expanding internet access from coast, to coast, to coast. With expanded internet access, rural and remote areas will be able to access support through the online My VAC Account.

The Government of Canada places the highest priority on making sure Veterans and their families have the support and services they need, when they need it.

Veterans Affairs Canada continues to have a broad network of 38 offices across the country, and more than 130 staff working with National Defence staff at Transition Centres across Canada and specialized mental health clinics. In addition, Service Canada offers nearly 558 points of service in virtually every community in Canada.

Regardless of where Veterans live, they can continue to rely on home visits (or other similar arrangements) from registered nurses, occupational therapists (contractors) and their Veterans Affairs Canada Case Managers or Veteran Service Agents for those who require them.

These visits continue to be an important component of case management and are conducted as part of a comprehensive assessment to identify and address Veterans’ needs.

Veterans and their families are always able to contact Veterans Affairs Canada staff by calling 1-866-522-2122 or can learn more about programs and services by visiting veterans.gc.ca/eng/services.

Information on programs and services is easily accessed by visiting the Veterans Affairs Canada website, including the helpful Benefits Browser.

Veterans who prefer to interact online can use the 24/7 access available through My VAC Account to send us secure messages or complete and track their applications for benefits.

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