New office opening marks a significant accomplishment
SURREY, BC, May 31, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada understands the tremendous contribution Veterans made in service to our country. To improve the lives of Veterans and their families, the Government will provide services and benefits, when and where they need them.
Veterans, their families and local stakeholders today joined the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence for the opening of a new Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) office in Surrey, British Columbia.
The new Surrey office opening marks the fulfilment of a commitment by the Government of Canada to reopen all nine VAC Offices and a new office in Surrey, B.C. VAC also expanded outreach to Veterans and their families in the territories and other northern communities.
The Surrey office is located at 13479 108th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Suite 350, Surrey, B.C. The office will employ approximately 21 staff who will serve close to 7,500 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.
Quotes
"Today, in Surrey, we are marking a truly significant accomplishment that will have long-term and far-reaching benefits for Veterans and their families across Canada. The Government of Canada has not only reopened the offices previously closed, but we went even further by opening an office in Surrey and expanding outreach in northern communities. We will continue to work tirelessly to show Veterans and their families the care, compassion and support they so rightly deserve."
The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
"Public Services and Procurement Canada is proud to have worked closely with Veterans Affairs Canada throughout this process to reopen offices across Canada. To reopen nine offices and open a new one in such a short period of time is a major achievement and speaks to the importance the Government places on providing services and benefits to Veterans and their families."
Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Quick Facts
- Reopening the nine Veterans Affairs offices that closed and opening a new office in Surrey is a top priority in the Minister of Veterans Affairs' mandate letter.
- Offices were reopened in Corner Brook, Nfld., on July 5, 2016; Brandon, Man., on October 21, 2016; Sydney, N.S., on October 31, 2016; Kelowna, B.C., on November 1, 2016; Saskatoon, Sask., and Charlottetown, P.E.I., on November 30, 2016; Thunder Bay, Ont., on January 18, 2017; Windsor, Ont., on April 21, 2017; and Prince George, B.C, on May 25, 2017.
- Veterans Affairs Canada is hiring and has hired more than 420 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 average of 25 Veterans.
- As of April 2017, Veterans Affairs Canada has hired more than 420 new front line staff
Associated Links
- Office Openings
- Points of Service for Veterans and their Families (Infographic)
- Points of Service (Infographic)
- Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Mandate Letter
SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada
Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, [email protected]; Sarah McMaster, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 613-996-4649
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