Opening VAC offices

Veterans Affairs Canada opens new office in Surrey, in Whalley

But at least one veteran isn’t moved

TOM ZYTARUK Wed May 31st, 2017 3:09pm

Veterans Affairs Canada has opened a new office in Whalley with 21 staff with an aim to served roughly 7,500 veterans in this area.

Good news, yes?

At least one veteran, Aaron Bedard, isn’t moved.

“I don’t think this is moving any bloody mountains,” Aaron Bedard told the Now-Leader. “It’s not a new office. It was part of a dozen offices closed in 2011. There was an office there in Newton before.”

The others, he noted, were “scattered across Canada.”

“This is nothing new — they are simply returning the level of manpower that was previously existing prior to 2011.”

Corporal Bedard, of Chilliwack, served in Afghanistan in 2006, where he was injured in a mine strike. He was “medically released” from the military in 2010.

Kent Hehr — minister of veterans affairs and associate minister of national defence — opened the third-floor office, at Suite 350, 13479-108 Ave., on Wednesday.

Office staff will answer veterans’ questions about services and benefits, arrange pension medical examinations and help veterans with applications and receipts.

‘Today, in Surrey, we are making a truly significant accomplishment that will have long-term and far-reaching benefits for veterans and their families across Canada,” Hehr said. “The Government of Canada has not only re-opened the offices previously closed, but we went even further by opening an office in Surrey and expanding outreach in northern communities.”

Re-opening nine Veterans Affairs offices that were closed under Stephen Harper’s government is a “top priority,” a federal government document states, adding that since April more than 420 new front line staffers have been hired to help veterans, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and RCMP.

Stephen MacKinnon, parliamentary secretary to the minister of public services, said re-opening the nine offices and this new office in Surrey “in such a short period of time is a major achievement.”

Bedard and six other veterans launched a lawsuit in 2012 against the federal government. “We are seeking the return to pension for life for veterans that was taken away in 2006, the same year we went into combat,” he explained. It is currently before B.C.’s Court of Appeal. “We are waiting for a ruling on the government’s move to strike down our case.” He expects the case will continue on, “win or lose,” to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Bedard said Justin Trudeau, before he became prime minister, told veterans during the last federal election campaign that they wouldn’t have to fight the government in court if he was elected. “Well, he took us right back to court.”

Bedard said veterans were concerned cuts were being done under Harper’s government to make Veterans Affairs Canada “dysfunctional enough that it may fail and be picked up by an outside insurance company.”

As for Wednesday’s announcement in Surrey, Bedard said, Trudeau’s government is “focussed on counter-politics to what the Conservatives did, which was close down a bunch of offices.”

https://www.peacearchnews.com/news/veterans-affairs-canada-opens-new-office-in-surrey-in-whalley/

Victory! Veteran Affairs office re-opens in downtown Windsor

Dave Waddell Windsor Star
April 21, 2017


Canadian Army veteran Bob Kelly, who served as a peacekeeper in Europe and with Special Forces, attended the re-opening of Veterans' Affairs Canada office on April 21, 2017.

It was a battle that lasted the same length of time as Bernie Kelly’s stint in the Canadian Armed Forces, but there could be no peace until the local Veterans Affairs office reopened.

That day arrived Friday and there was a veteran outside the office waiting for the doors to open.

“We fought like hell to get this back,” said Kelly, who served as an artillery gunner from 1960 to 1963. “It’s been very difficult for veterans.

“The (Harper) government didn’t know how much chaos they’d cause shutting down the office. A lot of veterans who needed services didn’t get it.

“It was sad with all the things they did for us.”

There are 15 employees to serve the area’s nearly 2,700 veterans at the office on the sixth floor of the Chrysler Building (1 Riverside Dr. W.).

The previous location closed in January 2014 forcing veterans to travel to London to find the nearest Veteran Affairs office.

The alternative was to go to a Service Canada office, something veterans hated to do.

“A lot of these guys are in their late 80s and 90s with real medical problems,” Kelly said. “To go into a crowded (Service Canada) office and not get service right away, we get impatient.”

A touching moment came at the end of the ceremony when Windsor West MP Brian Masse called for an impromptu moment of silence in honour of the late Larry Costello and all the veterans who had passed during their stubborn, three-year fight to get the office re-opened.

“The building is just bricks and mortar, what’s frontline for these veterans is having someone sitting across from them listening to their concerns in a non-judgmental, respectful and understanding way,” said Andrea Grimes, a longtime veterans’ advocate who worked closely with Costello.


Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs, applauds the opening of the Veterans Affairs Canada office at 1 Riverside Dr. W., on April 21, 2017.

Associate Minister of National Defence Sherry Romanado acknowledged the office also represents the recognition of the veterans’ service and the unique problems that can often accompany their experiences.

“For veterans, it’s important for them to know the folks working with them understand the unique sacrifices they’ve made for Canada,” said Romanado, who has two sons currently serving in the Canadian armed forces.

“Veterans like to go to a place they know the folks are specialized in veterans affairs services.”

Romanado said the federal government has recognized that by committing to re-open the nine offices closed across Canada with the addition of another office in Surrey, B.C.

“What’s important is we’re providing more channels for veterans and families to come forward,” said Romanado, who also serves as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs

“This provides an opportunity for in-person service. Now they can do that without having to travel.”

Bob Kelly, a member of Canada’s special forces and a peacekeeper in Europe from 1953 to 1959, called it “a great day” for local veterans.

“It’s been pretty rough,” the 80-year-old Kelly said. “There were times when I had to drive veterans from this area (to London).

“I’m glad it’s all over now.”

With the battle won, the veterans moved their attention to ironing out a few details around the new office.

The prime concern raised Friday was around parking. Veterans can park for free in Dieppe Gardens, but climbing the steps or incline up from the riverfront is a hill too far for many.

Bernie Kelly met with Veterans’ Affairs officials following the ceremony and came away satisfied veterans will also get access to the parking garage in the Chrysler Building.

“I had a meeting with the regional director (Rob Tolmjenovic) and he said they’d do everything they can to make sure there’s accessible parking for us,” Kelly said.

http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/victory-veteran-affairs-office-re-opens-in-downtown-windsor

Veterans Affairs Canada office reopens in Thunder Bay

130 Syndicate Avenue South location will serve approximately 1,700 Veterans

January 26, 2017 — Thunder Bay — Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans, their families and local officials today joined Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, on behalf of the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, for the reopening of the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Following MP Rusnak, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, also delivered remarks.

The office is located on the first floor of 130 Syndicate Avenue South, Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Thunder Bay office will employ approximately seven staff, who will serve approximately 1,700 Veterans in the area. Staff at the office will answer questions about VAC services and benefits; arrange pension medical examinations; and assist Veterans with completing and submitting applications and receipts. Case-managed Veterans will also be able to meet with their case manager.

The Thunder Bay office is the seventh of nine Veterans Affairs offices to be reopened across the country by May 2017.

“I am extremely proud to be reopening doors that were previously closed to Veterans and their families. Veterans have selflessly answered the call to serve our country, and now we are answering their call by enhancing financial benefits, restoring and expanding access to critical services, expanding service in Thunder Bay and the territories, and hiring more frontline staff. This was part of our commitment to Canadians, and we stand by this promise.”

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

"Our government is making the reopening of Veterans Affairs offices across the country a priority, and I’m proud to see the doors open at the Thunder Bay Veterans Affairs Canada office, where about 1,700 of our veterans and their families will be served. They have selflessly answered the call to serve our country, and now we are answering their call by restoring and expanding access to the support they deserve."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"I am very pleased to be here in Thunder Bay, today, to officially open the Veterans Affairs Canada Office. This office is important to Veterans and their families not only in Thunder Bay, but throughout Northwestern Ontario. This office will provide veterans with restored access to services and benefits when and where they need them."

Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1181369

Veterans Affairs Canada opens a new service location in Fredericton

65 Regent Street location will serve approximately 4,600 Veterans

January 13, 2017 — Fredericton — Veterans Affairs Canada

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence is pleased to announce that Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has opened an additional service location in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to better serve Veterans and their families.

The additional service location is located at the Regency Park Building, 65 Regent Street, Suite 130 – 1st Floor, Fredericton, N.B. More space was needed to accommodate the increase in frontline staff serving Veterans and their families in the Fredericton area. The office in Fredericton will be in place for the foreseeable future; however, the Department may explore options to relocate the Fredericton service location to provide service closer to Base Gagetown. Approximately 30 staff will serve approximately 4,600 Veterans and their families from the new location. Employees at the new location will answer questions about VAC services and benefits; arrange pension medical examinations; and assist Veterans in completing and submitting applications and receipts. Case-managed Veterans will also be able to meet with their case manager.

Up to five VAC employees will remain at the existing point of service located at the Integrated Personnel Service Centre (IPSC) at the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown.

“Opening a new service location in Fredericton illustrates our commitment to serving Veterans and their families when and where they need them. Veterans have selflessly answered the call to serve our country, and now we are answering their call by enhancing financial benefits, restoring and expanding access to critical services, expanding services throughout the country and hiring more frontline staff.”

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1178529

Ha Bosn181 - good to see another spud on here. This forum is an awesome source of all Vac Topics from those who have been Through the red tape. Johnny Out, VVV

new office opens thats good for some but getting told no over the phone or in person..... i save the gas money if i get no over the phone

For the life of me, how in the hell is this MVA still even in place???

Perhaps because our MVA and file is in the background of other GoC issues? Pipelines to Pot.

But pretty discouraging and then some. Because as soon as I think of a positive (?) replacement,
all that comes to my mind are more lackies, puppets, and parrots.

pinger

So as a Vet fm Charlottetown the pic of the opening of our PEI District Office and this article in the paper are wrong on so many fronts. First of all, why is Ron Clarke a Cape Breton Vet cutting the ribbon? And looks cozy now that his ABC is over. That's Mp Sean Casey beside Ron. Since they have taken over, Sean has done the parrot talk on my ?, like Hehr, and forwards my emails to the minister where I get more Parrot answers.
  In this newspaper article http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/local/2016/12/12/veterans-affairs-minister-visits-p-e-i--for-ribbon-cutting-at-of.html

The Legion pres, makes it sound like VAC and our one Svc Cdn VA rep, and them, have done the best they could. Having lobbied and protested for this office to open now for a few yrs, I can tell you the Legion has kept quiet, no lobbing for it to reopen, no articles. They are useless fat cows who feed of VAC..  Johnny Out,,,

Rifleman,

I don't pay to much attention to our Minister these days, I even moved him from top, to next to bottom.

He is not acting on what is priority for Veterans, these offices being re opened is not a priority for the Veterans most in need.

He only knows the basics of our file, the bureaucrats are the ones who will bring forward the lifelong pension, and our Minister will green light whatever the bureaucrats bring forward.
To suggest the complexity of forming this lifelong pension is a complete insult to our intelligence, it is not complex at all, I'm sure the bureaucrats have already formed this pension Months ago, and I'm sure our Minister knows what it details, they are just holding off until such a time they feel is the proper time to announce it, such as after an implementation of other source.
This pension will not be worth the paper it's written on, but it does not matter to the government as they would have completed that part of their promised mandate.

The divisions that this new charter has created is going to be ongoing, never ending, you will hear the words (gap) and (gaps) for ever and ever.
It is a bureaucratic made system with never ending required fixing, it is a bureaucratic dream, created by the bureaucrats.

Nothing has changed, and nothing will change, the government with it's bureaucratic machine has the upper hand.
No stakeholder meeting or advisory groups will install change, they will only continue to feed the governments PR system.

If our Minister has the best interest of all Veterans and their families as he constantly continues to say, he would learn our file first, then he would act on what Veterans want and stand up to his bureaucratic machine.
He has chosen to take the easy and lazy route on our file, leaving it all up to the bureaucrats to run our file, meanwhile he continues to put his foot in his mouth by rambling the same song and dance, over and over.

The Liberals mandate itself in my opinion will not make things much better, not in the way they allow those bureaucrats to run the mandate.

Remember to not forget the words I mentioned, gap and gaps, because until the tax free lifelong pension from the old act is returned, those two words will not go away.

Listen moron you best start making do on other promises you and the government made like the promise of life long pensions tired of the gong show and all this pr shit get with the program and do what is right it is getting very frustrating to continue to read that vetrans are still fighting for benifits and are still on long wait times and most of all continue to take there lives do to what?maybe all the above time to get your ass in gear and make these promises happen

Veterans Affairs Canada office reopens in Charlottetown

191 Great George Street location will serve approximately 2,100 Veterans.

December 12, 2016 — Charlottetown — Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans, their families and local officials today joined the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, for the reopening of the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

The office is located at the Jean Canfield Building, 1st floor, 191 Great George Street, Charlottetown, PE. The Charlottetown office will employ approximately seven staff who will serve approximately 2,100 Veterans in the area. Staff at the office will answer questions about VAC services and benefits; arrange pension medical examinations; and, assist Veterans to complete and submit applications and receipts. Case-managed Veterans will also be able to meet with their case manager.

During the summer months, Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr visited the Charlottetown office. The Charlottetown office is the sixth of nine Veterans Affairs offices to be reopened across the country by May 2017.

“I am extremely proud to be reopening doors that were previously closed to Veterans and their families here in Charlottetown. Veterans have selflessly answered the call to serve our country, and now we are answering their call by enhancing financial benefits, restoring and expanding access to critical services, expanding service in Charlottetown and the territories, and hiring more frontline staff. This was part of our commitment to Canadians, and we stand by this promise.”

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

• Reopening the nine Veterans Affairs offices that closed is a top priority in the Minister of Veterans Affairs’ mandate letter.
  

• Offices were reopened in Corner Brook, NL on July 5, 2016; Brandon, MB on October 21, 2016; Sydney, NS on October 31; Kelowna, BC on November 1, 2016; and Saskatoon, SK on November 30, 2016. Offices will also reopen in Thunder Bay, ON in January 2017; and in Windsor, ON, and Prince George, BC in May 2017. A tenth office will open in Surrey, BC in May 2017.

• Veterans Affairs Canada is hiring 400 new employees to help ensure that Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members, RCMP personnel, and their families are provided with the best possible services in their own communities. This includes new staff to ensure case managers have a caseload of an average of 25 Veterans.

• The Bureau of Pensions Advocates will be co-located with the Charlottetown Office. Staff will be able to provide free legal advice and representation for clients who may wish to challenge a decision regarding their disability benefits application.
  Associated links

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1167989

Veterans Affairs Canada office reopens in Saskatoon

22nd Street East location will serve approximately 2,900 Veterans

November 30, 2016 — Saskatoon — Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans, their families and local officials today gathered for the reopening of the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The office is located on the 5th floor, 101-22nd St. East, Saskatoon, SK. The Saskatoon office will employ approximately seven staff who will serve approximately 2,900 Veterans in the area. Staff at the office will answer questions about VAC services and benefits; arrange pension medical examinations; and, assist Veterans to complete and submit applications and receipts. Case-managed Veterans will also be able to meet with their case manager.

During the summer months, Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr visited the Saskatoon office while it was still under construction. The Saskatoon office is the fifth of nine Veterans Affairs offices to be reopened across the country by May 2017.

“I am extremely proud to be reopening doors that were previously closed to Veterans and their families here in Saskatoon. They have selflessly answered the call to serve our country, and now we are answering their call by enhancing financial benefits, restoring and expanding access to critical services, expanding service in Saskatchewan and the territories, and hiring more frontline staff. This was part of our commitment to Canadians, and we stand by this promise.”

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Reopening the nine Veterans Affairs offices that closed is a top priority in the Minister of Veterans Affairs’ mandate letter.
Offices were reopened in Corner Brook, NL on July 5, 2016; Brandon, MB on October 21, 2016; Sydney, NS on October 31, 2016 and Kelowna, BC on November 8, 2016. Offices will also reopen in Charlottetown, PE in December 2016; Thunder Bay, ON in January 2017; and in Windsor, ON, and Prince George, BC in May 2017. A tenth office will open in Surrey, BC in May 2017.
Veterans Affairs Canada is hiring 400 new employees to help ensure that Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members, RCMP personnel, and their families are provided with the best possible services in their own communities. This includes new staff to ensure case managers have a caseload of an average of 25 Veterans.

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1162779

Veteran Affairs Canada Saskatoon office reopens

December 1, 2016 10:12 am

By Thomas Piller



Wednesday marked the official reopening of the Veterans Affairs Canada office on the fifth floor of the Canada Building in downtown Saskatoon.

Approximately 2,900 area veterans will receive assistance with everything from benefits to paperwork from seven staff members.

Veterans will also be able to meet with their case manager face-to-face.

“These centres provide a location for people to go, find out about these services and what’s available to them,” Maj. Kathleen Mcburney, the commanding officer at Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Dundurn, said.

“I come from a long line of people who have served in the military, my uncle and father are both retired members and for a long time there were a lot of benefits and stuff that were out there that people didn’t know about and it’s not just something you can look up on the internet.”

In 2014, Veterans Affairs offices were shut down across Canada as a cost-savings measure under the former Conservative government.

http://globalnews.ca/news/3099093/veteran-affairs-canada-saskatoon-office-reopens/

“People Come Back Broken”: Veterans Affairs In Canada And The Reopening Of Thunder Bay’s District Office

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

By: Sam Mathers, News Editor



Just over a week ago, Remembrance Day ceremonies were held across the country. Each year, at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, Canadians pay respect to the men and women that have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. But are veterans made a priority in Canada? After closing its doors in 2014 due to federal budget cuts, Thunder Bay is set to reopen its Veterans Affairs District Office in January, but some have their doubts. Poppies may remain on coats for the next few weeks, but one can’t help but wonder if the phrase “lest we forget” is in fact, forgotten each year until November 11th.

Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs, announced in August that Thunder Bay’s office would reopen its doors after closing in 2014. Despite protests, the previous Conservative government closed eight Veterans Affairs District Offices across Canada, citing the need to save $5 million a year. The offices were replaced with Veterans Affairs employees in Service Canada offices, and existing Service Canada staff were trained by Veterans Affairs to be able to provide some information to veterans. For Robert Cutbush, a veteran who served 25 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, the loss of face-to-face contact was a major downfall of the closure. Taking a lot of unnecessary time out of the day – like being placed on hold for upwards of thirty minutes just to be able to leave someone a short voicemail – Cutbush describes the experience of the last two years as “frustrating.” He remarked that it would be easier to spend a day travelling to a city with a Veterans Affairs District Office to see someone face to face. Not to mention having to explain and open up about inner trauma over the phone, which has also posed much difficulty.

With the priorities of the Canadian government often lying elsewhere, Cutbush speaks out on this issue and helps newer veterans navigate a system he knows well. In the last election, a lot of promises were made in regards to veterans affairs – fighting the closure of the district offices, restoring life long disability benefits, increases to awards and impairment living allowances – yet not many have been kept. He feels at times, that veterans are used as political pawns, and says, “As a veteran, as a member of the Canadian Legion, it’s my job to hold their feet to the fire.”

The Thunder Bay Veterans Affairs District Office is scheduled to reopen this January. It will employ 8 staff to serve 1,700 veterans in “getting their benefits, their forms, and the information they need to build their lives,” according to the announcement made by Hehr. But rumors are already circling that the office won’t open until May. Cutbush describes the announcement as “bittersweet.” He says that he is wiser now, and more patient. He will believe it when he sees it.

We are extremely lucky to live in a time and place where war is not an immediate threat – as Canadians, we have a lot of freedoms that others don’t – but that seems to make us disconnected from the sacrifices that have been made in the past and unaware of the sacrifices that are still made today. Cutbush says it might be due in part to the humble Canadian attitude that says “I’m just doing my job, I don’t need a victory parade for everything I do,” but he also wants people to be aware of the trauma veterans face. Cutbush wants people to know that “it’s a real thing – people come back in body bags and people come back broken.”

http://theargus.ca/news/2016/people-come-back-broken-veterans-affairs-in-canada-and-the-reopening-of-thunder-bays-district-office/

Charlottetown Veterans Affairs district office scheduled to reopen

Charlottetown office 1 of 9 closed by Conservative government

By Kevin Yarr, CBC News Posted: Nov 17, 2016 1:48 PM AT Last Updated: Nov 17, 2016 2:00 PM AT


Veteran Bill Henry with Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr, who was in Charlottetown in July to announce that the district office would re-open.

The Veterans Affairs district office is set to re-open in Charlottetown on Nov. 30.

Veterans in the region have been receiving letters from DVA informing them of the services that will be available.

The Charlottetown district office was one of nine closed by the previous Conservative government, most of them in 2014. The offices have staff that can provide face-to-face service for veterans. They are able to answer questions about services and benefits, and offer help filling out and submitting applications.

The office will at 191 Great George Street.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-charlottetown-veterans-district-office-1.3855359

Propat my angrily words/feelings are not directed at you.  I know you understand and your top notch bud.

It's just I am learning more and I am understanding the situation the NVC Vets face.  They must really think we are dumb, deaf, and stupid.  The video of JT speaking at the DO and all the Vets smiling and cheering thanking the God of the Liberal
Government.   Bring back the PA and I will shut up and stop cursing the PA Vets that love JT and are swimming in PA money and get extra cash now because of the crumbs throwen at the NVC.   So is it true you can be at your percent mark in disability but if the PA Vet files for an increase in an jury he gets a lump sum and still gets his monlhly payment of the PA. Does that not seem frakin unfair to anyone.