Question Period Note: SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES B 2025-2026

• Veterans Affairs Canada’s budget reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring Canadian Veterans and their families are provided with the support they need.
• 94% of the Department’s budget represents payments to Veterans, their families and other program recipients.
• Through these Estimates, VAC’s budget will increase by $14.2M from $7,839 million to $7,853 million.
• These contributions for Veterans are also an important part of achieving Canada’s NATO targets.

VAC’s budget will increase by $14.2 million, representing 0.2% increase over current budget. VAC’s budget will increase from $7,839 million to $7,853 million in relation to the following transfers and adjustments:

New Treasury Board Submissions
• New FHCPS Contract – Contract costs: $10.5M – Other Health Purchased Services Special Purpose Allotment
o This funding will be used to support the Federal Health Claims Processing Services (FHCPS) contract to ensure continued delivery of health care authorization and claims processing services.
• Peer Support/MST – Gender Based Violence: $965K ($691K in Salary; $88K in O&M; $187 for EBP).
o As announced in Budget 2021, this funding for the administration of Peer Support for Sexual Misconduct and/or Military Sexual Trauma will help ensure VAC’s continued support of the Peer Support Program.
• Government Advertising Initiatives: $1M – Advertising Initiative Special Purpose Allotment
o As highlighted in the Speech from the Throne (2019), the government intends to recognize its solemn duty to those who choose to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces and build upon investments in previous mandates to deliver better outcomes for Canada's Veterans.
Transfers
• Transfer from Vote 1 (Operating) to Vote 5 for the Veterans Emergency Fund: ($800k)
o This transfer of funds will be used to fund pressures on the Veterans Emergency Fund.
• Transfer from GAC to adjust previous funding: $17K ($9K in Sal and $8K in OM)
o GAC provides common services such as procurement of goods, services, and real property in support of VACs delegation abroad. This transfer of funds represents reimbursement to adjust funding previously provided for departmental staff located at missions abroad.
• Transfer from DND for Research Projects: $1.7M ($70K operating, $1.6M Grant)
o This transfer of funds will help support research related to military members, Veterans and their families. This is part of the Joint Federal Research Funding project.
o This transfer represent the admin portion of the joint project (funding from DND to support VAC in administering the funds).

QUICK FACTS & FIGURES

Overall Budget Growth
• Increase of $14.2 million (0.2%) over current budget levels
• Budget will increase from $7,839 million to $7,853 million
• 94% of VAC’s budget is dedicated to payments for Veterans, their families, and other recipients

Budget Increase Drivers
• FHCPS contract funding (OHPS) : $10.5M
• Research funding (Transfer from DND): $1.7M
• Advertising initiatives: $1M
• Peer Support funding: $965K