Minister Fantino Commends Walmart Canada For Offering Veterans New Leadership Opportunities

TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - While attending Canada Company's inaugural Military Employment Transition (MET) Program Conference, the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, congratulated Bob Hakeem, Senior Vice President (People) of Walmart Canada, on the launch of the company's Ex-Military Hiring Program, a new partnership with Veterans' organizations to identify retired junior and senior Canadian Armed Forces officers who could be recruited into leadership positions within Walmart Canada.

Walmart Canada is recognized as having a longstanding history of supporting and honouring Canadian Veterans. Over the past 12 years, the company has raised more than $7.5 million for the Juno Beach Centre Association, which owns and operates an educational museum located in Normandy, France, that honours Canadian heroes from the Second World War.

"I commend Walmart Canada for partnering with Veterans' organizations and for opening the door to new leadership opportunities for Canada's Veterans. Through the launch of its new program, Walmart is joining other corporate partners in recognizing the incredible skills, experience and expertise of Canada's former military personnel," said Minister Fantino. "Walmart's initiative will help to offer Veterans new and interesting opportunities to make a successful transition from military to civilian life."

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Walmart Canada operates a growing network of 329 stores and has one of the strongest community involvement programs in Canada.

"Our Veterans are an important human resource for all of Canada," said Bob Hakeem of Walmart Canada. "Walmart is proud to be part of the Hire a Veteran program because Canada's service men and women are renowned for their excellent leadership skills, and we believe they are an asset to any organization."

"Canada's Veterans are exceptionally well-trained and accomplished individuals. They have extensive knowledge and valuable skills to offer the private sector, and we continue to work to ensure they will have options to apply their extensive capabilities after their time in uniform," added Minister Fantino. "To that end, we have brought forward new legislation that would allow Canadian Armed Forces personnel who were injured in service to have priority access to positions within the public service. It's the right thing to do, and reflects our ongoing support for those who have given so much in service to Canada."

The Government of Canada's recently tabled bill, the Priority Hiring for Injured Veterans Act, will allow medically released Canadian Armed Forces personnel who were injured through their service to have priority access to job opportunities in the public service.

Minister Fantino also took the opportunity at the conference to promote the new Veterans Affairs Canada Hire a Veteran web section which has information on employment initiatives designed to assist transitioning Canadian Armed Forces personnel and Veterans in finding employment.

Minister Fantino also commended Canada Company for its commitment to supporting Canadian Armed Forces personnel in their transition to civilian employment. Canada Company is a non-partisan charitable organization that serves to build a bridge between business and community leaders and the Canadian military.

Veterans Affairs Canada's supports and services offer the right care at the right time to achieve the best results for Veterans and their families. Find out more at veterans.gc.ca. 

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada

Media inquiries:

Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468

Joshua Zanin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649