More help in works for vets leaving military

Canada’s newest veterans affairs minister is looking to increase supports for military members as they transition into civilian life.

Minister Lawrence MacAulay was in Edmonton this week for his first trip out of Ottawa since taking over the portfolio earlier this month. He spent Tuesday touring Valour Place and CFB Edmonton.

After his meetings, he said he is looking at increasing the supports offered to those transitioning out of service.

“What we want to do is make sure veterans affairs and national defence are more intertwined,” said MacAulay.

“It could start right when they enter the military or to make sure even that (in their) last year, they have a lot of life skills that they need.”

MacAulay said he wants to continue to work with those organizations to ensure the government is properly funding the programs and services that are already in place.

He said the government has already increased access points for military members to receive help and hired additional support staff over the past three years.

“This is just the initial start. But what we want to see is to make sure there is proper funding,” said MacAulay. “There’s an end to the funding, there’s not unlimited funding, but we want to make sure this type of funding actually saves money for the government and gives the military person a better quality of life.”

On Wednesday the minister met with organizations that have previously tapped into the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund. Those organizations range from university governors to rehab consultants

We want to make sure this type of funding ... gives the military person a better quality of life.

and occupational therapists.

The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund is accepting applications from organizations researching and implementing supports for veterans. Private, public and non-profit organizations can apply for grants of up to $250,000 a year or contributions up to $1 million a year.

MacAulay’s trip came the same week as Edmonton International Airport announced a partnership with Edge4Vets, an American recruitment program that helps veterans gain employment within the airport. MacAulay said he isn’t currently involved with that program, but would be willing to learn best practices from any partners in the field.