10th Annual Canada Army Run

Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Participates in the 2017 Military and Veteran Health Research Forum

NEWS PROVIDED BY
Veterans Affairs Canada

Minister O'Regan addresses forum participants

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians and the Government of Canada acknowledge the immense contribution in service to our country of Veterans and their families. It is critical that members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada's Veterans know that when they sign up to serve and protect Canada, the people of Canada will support them.

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, today addressed participants at the eighth annual Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum.

During the Forum, Minister O'Regan met with leading Canadian and international researchers, academics and experts on military and Veteran health. Hosted by the CIMVHR, the Forum focused on research and rehabilitation related to mental and physical health, as well as the social well-being of active duty personnel, Veterans and their families. Topics covered included physical and mental health; novel health technologies; transition from military to civilian life; occupational health; gender differences in health; and the ethics of health care and the healing of moral injury as it relates to service.

"Our Government is proud to partner with the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research. The importance of research, and expanding research partnerships, to better the health of active duty personnel and Veterans through evidence-informed practices, policies and programs, cannot be overstated."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

"Delegates gather annually at our Forum to present new research findings, identify knowledge gaps, network, and educate the future generation of researchers. Minister O'Regan's support for the work that we do and the researchers who attend, propels us to continue to work together to advance health research that supports our military, Veterans and their families."
Dr. Stéphanie Bélanger, Co-Scientific Director, CIMVHR

• CIMVHR is the official research partner of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017.

• CIMVHR is an innovative organization that engages existing academic research resources and facilitates the development of new research, research capacity and effective knowledge translation.

• With a network of academic researchers from across Canada, CIMVHR serves as a focal point for 43 Canadian universities who have agreed to work together in addressing the health research requirements of the Canadian military, Veterans and their families. It serves all Canadian stakeholders interested in military and Veteran health research and acts as a conduit between the academic community, government organizations such as Department of National Defence (DND), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Health Canada, industry and similar international organizations.

• VAC has partnered with the CIMHVR since its inception in 2010. VAC Research Directorate provides ongoing in-kind support through steering committee participation, planning assistance and contributing to the annual Forum. VAC's ongoing involvement is critical to ensure the Department's research needs are factored into the Institute's work and direction.

• Through a contract between the Government of Canada and CIMVHR, VAC is partnering with a number of academic researchers on studies relating to the health of Veterans and their families.

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/minister-of-veterans-affairs-and-associate-minister-of-national-defence-participates-in-the-2017-military-and-veteran-health-research-forum-647933313.html

Mr. Seamus, thanks but we heard all of these types of statements from your predecessor. What we need is an update on the lifelong pension promise. You are the Minister, stop allowing the bureaucrats to run our file, stand up to them and order an update, ASAP, if you cannot handle that, step aside and give someone else the job of Minister.

Veterans Affairs Minister Recognizes Contributions of Métis Veterans

NEWS PROVIDED BY
Veterans Affairs Canada
Sep 21, 2017, 20:39 ET

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OTTAWA, Sept. 21, 2017 /CNW/ - he Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today regarding the contributions of Métis Veterans:

"Those who have proudly served in Canada's armed forces have proven time and again that personal sacrifice in the face of injustice and tyranny can literally change the world. That was true a century ago at Vimy Ridge. It was true 75 years ago in Dieppe. And, it remains true to this day, for those thousands upon thousands of Canadians who served more recently in Afghanistan and other areas of conflict around the world.

"The people of Canada are steadfast in their desire that each and every Canadian Veteran is cared for, that their service is respected and that they receive the help they need, when they need it. Throughout our history, Canadian governments have worked to ensure that the will of the people is carried out.

"In April 2017, the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation signed a permanent bilateral agreement, called the Canada-Métis Nation Accord. At that time, the President of the Métis National Council spoke about the need to address, in a timely manner, the recognition of Métis Veterans who served our great country and reconciling the longstanding grievance of the Métis Veterans in relation to their claim for compensation for post- World War II benefits.

"As David Chartrand, the Minister of Social Development – Metis Nation has previously noted, it is vital we learn from our past to do what's right to correct those wrongs; the Metis veterans have waited for over 70 years for Canada to keep their promise and we may finally have a government to correct that wrong".

"Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes that the Métis Nation has long raised this as an issue and is committed to bringing it to resolution. To do so, the Government of Canada will begin work immediately, in partnership with the Métis Nation, to address concerns that there have been past discriminatory practices of Métis Nation Veterans. The scope of this work will include the service of World War II Métis Veterans and will consider whatever information sources are available. The outcome we seek is to identify any discriminatory practices that may be discovered and to take concrete action, in the spirit of reconciliation, to address these findings.

"No matter their background, any individual who serves in Canada's armed forces must be treated fairly and equitably by the Government of Canada."

Canada-Métis Nation Leaders Meeting

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada


For further information: Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, VAC.Media-Medias.ACC@vac-acc.gc.ca; Steven Harris, Director General, Veterans Affairs Canada, 902-566-8321

Related Links

www.veterans.gc.ca

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/statement---veterans-affairs-minister-recognizes-contributions-of-metis-veterans-646615053.html

Minister Seamus O'Regan joined residents, youth and Veterans to mark the 75th anniversary of the Bell Island U-boat attacks in Newfoundland and Labrador

LANCE COVE BEACH, BELL ISLAND, NL, Sept. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians take pride in their rich history and military heritage and a central responsibility of Veterans Affairs Canada is to pay tribute to the selfless service and contributions of Canada's Veterans, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Today, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, attended a commemorative ceremony that marked an important military milestone – the 75th anniversary of the U-boat attacks at Bell Island during the Second World War.

Bell Island, which sits in Newfoundland and Labrador's Conception Bay, was one of the few communities in North America be hit by enemy fire during the war. The ceremony commemorated two separate U-boat attacks off the shores of Bell Island in 1942 by honouring the 69 Allied sailors who lost their lives, recognizing the actions of those who came to the aid of the crews of the torpedoed ships, and highlighting the service of all merchant mariners in the Second World War. These incidents were part of the Battle of Atlantic, the longest continuous campaign of the entire conflict.

"It's inspiring to see the hard work of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 18 and Bell Island on this commemoration project. Our government is committed to ensuring the longevity of war memorials in communities across the country, as well as supporting remembrance initiatives. This is why participating in today's ceremony and in the restoration of the Seamen's Memorial here at Lance Cove Beach through the Commemorative Partnership Program was incredibly important for me and my department."

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

• The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous battle of the Second World War and one in which Canada played a central role. The battle began on the opening day of the war in September 1939 and ended almost six years later with Germany's surrender in May 1945.

• Bell Island was one of the few communities in North America be hit by enemy fire during the Second World War and it happened during the Battle of Atlantic. The first attack was on September 5, 1942, when a U-boat sank the SS Lord Strathcona and SS Saganaga. Nearly two months later on November 2, the SS Rose Castle and a Free French ship, the PLM 27, would follow the first two ships to the bottom during a second attack.

• The Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP) provides funding to organizations undertaking remembrance initiatives.

• Through the CPP, Veterans Affairs Canada provided $6,435 to restore the Seaman's Memorial at Lance Beach Cove and support commemorative activities for this project to mark the 75th anniversary of the Bell Island U-boat attacks.

• For more information about the CPP, please visit veterans.gc.ca.

• 2017 is a special year of commemoration for Canada as we remember the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele, and Canada 150.

• Visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website for additional information on the Battle of the Atlantic.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/battle-atlantic/publication

• Visit the Commemorative Partnership Program page for more information.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/funding-programs/commemorative-partnership/

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada


For further information: Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, Vac.media-medias.acc@vac-acc.gc.ca; Alex Wellstead, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 613-996-4649

RELATED LINKS
www.veterans.gc.ca

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-remembers-those-lost-during-the-bell-island-u-boat-attacks-644861533.html

10th Annual Canada Army Run

PR Newswire
Sep. 15, 2017, 04:58 PM

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OTTAWA, Sept. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence issued the following statement for the 2017 Canada Army Run:

"The Canada Army Run is celebrating 10 years and continues to grow each year. With a weekend of activities and entertainment for the whole family, this annual event is like no other with Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members and civilians running together and cheering each other on as proud Canadians.

"To commemorate 100 years since the Battle of Vimy Ridge, an event was added to the 2017 Canada Army Run line-up—the Vimy Challenge—and participants who complete the Challenge receive a special Vimy coin.

"We're proud to have Canada Army Run participants join us as we commemorate this important anniversary of our nation's history this year.

"Canadians join the Army Run for all different reasons: for healing, to show support, to say thank you, or to remember. But, whatever the reason, the Army Run changes lives—one walk, run or roll at a time.

"As we mark Canada 150 this year, the Canada Army Run provides an opportunity for Canadians to proudly honour all those who have served—and continue to serve—this great nation."

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

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