Minister of Veterans Affairs announces expansion of partnership with Legion

Veterans Affairs Canada and Royal Canadian Legion partner to expand outreach to Veterans in long-term care

EDMONTON, June 16, 2014 /CNW/ - At the 45^th Dominion Convention of the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada will increase its funding to the RCL for its Veteran outreach and visitation initiative and extend the contract for an additional year.

The Government of Canada will double its funding from $120,000 to $240,000, allowing the RCL to increase the number of visits from 4,000 to 8,000 per year. Veterans will also receive visits until October 14, 2015, as a result of the contract extension.

By tapping into the RCL's national network of volunteers, the Government of Canada can maintain personal contact with Veterans in long-term care facilities across Canada. The partnership provides Veterans, who may not have any reason to be in touch with Veterans Affairs Canada, with an avenue to identify needs that can then be followed-up on and addressed.

An estimated 1,200 delegates from across Canada, the United States, Europe and Mexico gathered in Edmonton, Alberta this week for the RCL Convention. Minister Fantino also presented Dominion President, Gordon Moore, with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation award for his nearly three decades of service to the RCL and the Veterans community.

Quick Facts

• Close to 8,000 Veterans are cared for in approximately 1,600 nursing homes and other long-term care facilities in communities throughout Canada.
• If a Veteran needs long-term care, Veterans Affairs Canada can contribute to the cost of care if the Veteran meets certain criteria including military service, income eligibility, and/or whether their need for long-term care is due to a service related disability.
• The Royal Canadian Legion, established in 1926, is the largest Veterans' service organization in Canada.
• With more than 320,000 members, the mission of the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command is to serve Veterans (including still-serving military and RCMP members and their families) and to promote remembrance, and service to community and country.

Quotes

"The Royal Canadian Legion has been a trusted partner in helping us to connect with Veterans across Canada. Increasing our support for their initiatives allows us to enhance the care we provide Veterans and further support the important work the Legion does every day."
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs

"As Dominion President and as an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion since 1985, Mr. Gordon Moore has worked tirelessly to help Veterans. On behalf of all Canadians, I want to thank him for his leadership, as it has made a real and lasting difference by bringing Veterans groups together to find common ground on Veterans' issues."
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs

Related Products

• http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/news/did-you-know/infobytes/legion-partnership

Associated Links

• Government of Canada partners with Legion to Support Veterans
• Just The Facts (Long-Term Care)
• Long-Term Care
• Royal Canadian Legion
• 45^th Dominion Convention of The Royal Canadian Legion

Image with caption: "Minister Fantino Attends 45th Dominion Convention of the Royal Canadian Legion - Minister Fantino today announced that the Government of Canada will double its funding to the Royal Canadian Legion for its Veteran outreach and visitation initiative. The Minister made the announcement at the 45th Dominion Convention of the Royal Canadian Legion in Edmonton. (CNW Group/Veterans Affairs Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140616_C7358_PHOTO_EN_41454.jpg

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada

Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649

Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468