How can we do a better job of supporting our veterans?
We sat down with local REALTOR® Gwen Price, who hosts her own video/podcast Sudbury Talks with Gwen Price. Several members of her family served in the military, so this is a topic that hits close to home.
According to Veterans Affairs Canada, the total Veteran population in Canada was estimated to be 617,800 as of March 31, 2021. Of those, 25,500 were War Service Veterans and 592,000 were Canadian Armed Forces Veterans; both of these populations were forecasted to decline in the next five years.
While that number may represent just 1.5% of the total population aged 17 and older, as Canadians we owe them so much.
Unfortunately, veterans are facing several issues today. Some of the biggest challenges include homelessness, mental health (post-traumatic stress disorder), access to benefits and much more.
“Young veterans and those who were in WWII are all still fighting for access to the medical care and benefits they are owed,” says Price. The Royal Canadian Legion advocates for veterans on a number of levels via Advocating for change.
“Our father was a veteran and a proud member of Branch 76 in Minnow Lake. When our dad was ill and dying at home in 2017, the Legion reached out to help and to visit him on a regular basis,” she says.
“Also, as a veteran, our dad was entitled to extra hours of home care, but it was not easy to access those benefits. My sister, Janice, a retired public health nurse, spent hours on the phone trying to connect with Veterans Affairs to get the benefits he was due. Navigating a 1-800 number was not an easy process for an elderly veteran and I often think of how many elderly veterans and their family members would just give up and not get through to the proper contact to access services.”
Price believes the process for making claims should be easier and that veterans shouldn’t have to fight to get what they are entitled to.
Sadly, over the years there have been numerous cases of veterans trying to get access to the services they need. In 2020, a class action lawsuit was launched on behalf of veterans seeking benefits. There has also been a huge backlog of disability claims. Thankfully, Veterans Affairs recently announced increased funding to improve frontline staffing levels.
Resources that can help
Unfortunately, many Legions are struggling with dwindling membership and have closed, though there are still some that are open locally. They continue to be a great and valuable resource for veterans and their families.
- Veterans Affairs Canada has links to lots of resources.
- Renos For Heroes is a Canadian charity that provides funding for home improvement projects for veterans.
- VETS Canada helps at-risk and homeless veterans.
- The National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada represents more than 60 organizations, ensuring they speak with a strong and independent voice.
- Wounded Warriors
Veterans’ homelessness
It’s not uncommon for veterans to have problems transitioning to civilian life, and due to mental health or addiction issues, they can end up experiencing homelessness.
“A commitment by all levels of government and the public is needed to help support our veterans as they reintegrate back into life at home,” says Price. “After serving, no veteran should have to live a life in Canada without the proper supports and appreciation for their service.”
Accompanying this article is a photo of Price’s father, Clayton Price, and his brothers, Vern and Oren.
All three served during WWII. Price’s father was a cartographer who drew maps for military operations. He was stationed at the Royal Military College of Canada, in Thunder Bay, Espanola and Vancouver.
Oren was a Lance Sergeant and served in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany from 1944-1945.
Vernon was a sapper and served in the United Kingdom and France from 1943-1946.
Says Price, “My uncles served overseas, and it must have been difficult for my grandmother and grandfather to have their boys so far from home. Thankfully, they lived and went on to get married, have children and live happy lives.”
For more information, visit Gwen Price Homes or call 705-561-2335.