Parliamentary Secretary Eve Adams Announces Toronto Hospital for Sick Children to Hire Veterans

TORONTO, June 13, 2013 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Brampton South, congratulated Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO of Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, on the Hospital's commitment to Canada's Veterans.

"I commend the commitment that the Hospital for Sick Children is making today to Canada's Veterans. Its participation in the Hire a Veteran initiative goes hand in hand with the work our Government is doing with other corporate partners to promote Canada's highly skilled Veterans," said Minister Blaney. "Through this initiative, the Hospital for Sick Children is giving Veterans new opportunities to make a successful transition from military to civilian life."

"Our Veterans are well trained in various disciplines and have a great deal to offer to this country's workforce," said Parliamentary Secretary Adams. "I am delighted to see this top research hospital joining our Hire a Veteran initiative, along with other corporate partners such as Cabela's Canada, Queen's University and Mount Allison University. Without a doubt, the Hospital for Sick Children will put our Veterans' excellent training and skills to good use in the civilian workforce. In turn, the Hospital—as well as its young patients—will benefit greatly from having Canadian Veterans on its workforce."

"The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is proud to partner with Veterans Affairs Canada in the Hire a Veteran initiative," said Susan O'Dowd, Vice-President of Human Resources at SickKids. "We are committed to helping Canadian Veterans transition to their civilian lives. We're excited to participate in this important initiative and are honoured to be able to give back to Canadian Veterans who exemplify the qualities of compassion and humanitarianism that are of critical importance to caregivers at all hospitals but particularly to caregivers at hospitals for children. I believe that Canadian Veterans can contribute to our 'Healthier Children. A Better World' vision."

This commitment by SickKids builds upon the Veterans Transition Action Plan, launched last fall by Minister Blaney. The plan consists of new measures for cutting red tape for Veterans, enhancements to service delivery, post-military career opportunities for Veterans, ground-breaking research on the needs of releasing Canadian Armed Forces personnel, and enhanced cultural awareness.

For more information on Veterans Affairs Canada's programs and services, visit veterans.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada

Media inquiries:

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

Jean-Christophe de Le Rue
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649

Tracy Wolbaum
Director, Total Rewards and Diversity
Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children
416-813-6641