The Legion Veterans, Service and Seniors (VSS) Committee is mandated with ensuring that still serving Canadian Forces (CF) members, Veterans, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), spouses and dependants receive the full benefit of programs and services delivered through Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).

The VSS Committee also examines legislation and regulations, consults with government officials, and advocates for change through the Legion resolutions process, Parliamentary and Senate briefings, and other means to conduct timely advocacy. In that regard, it is very important for The Legion to speak with one voice.

Your Dominion Command VSS Committee serving Veterans of all ages and their families: Left to Right: Gordon Moore, Clayton Saunders, Bob Brady, Patricia Varga, Robert Groulx, Ed Pigeau and Larry Murray.

Policy advocacy, per se, is also the domain of the Provincial Command Veterans, Service and Seniors Committees who bring forward their recommendations to the Dominion Command VSS Committee. These committees may seek advice of their Command Service Officers who, as experts in the field of service delivery, may be aware of gaps in legislation, regulations or policies.

Comments on Resolutions (PDF)

• Changes to the Canada Pension Plan—January 2012
  The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is changing to better reflect how Canadians choose to live, work, and retire. The Government of Canada is adapting the CPP to ensure it remains fair and sustainable, and that it responds to the evolving needs of Canada's aging population and to changes in the economy and labour market.
  More...
• Legion's Stand on Bill c-473—April 2011
  View the statement
• Legion Statement on Bill c-55—March 2011
  View the statement
• Where the Legion Stands—
  Primer on the New Veterans Charter (NVC) September 2010
  (Chapter One—PDF)   (Chapter Two—PDF)  
  (Does this Affect You?—PDF)
• The Royal Canadian Legion Written presentation to Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA)
  
  (PDF of Presentation—April 22 2010)
  (PDF of Presentation—June 10 2010)
  
  Veterans Associations in agreement with Legion Presentation
  
  
  • Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada
  • Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping
  • Canadian Peacekeeping Vétérans Association
  • National Aboriginal Veterans Association
  • Air Force Association of Canada
  • Canadian Naval Air Group
  • The Naval Officers Association of Canada
  • Last Post Fund
    
    
• Honouring Our Commitment to Veterans and Their Families—Report of the New Veterans Charter Advisory Group—October 2009 (PDF)
• Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence—Proceedings of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs—October 07, 2009 (PDF)
  
• Client Eligibility for Health Care Programs—
  This document describes how client eligibility is derived for Health Care Programs (PDF)
  
• Transcript of Legion Appearance—
  Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs—October 29 2009 (PDF)
• Bill C-201—
  * Unfortunately, Bill C-201 was defeated in Committee and will not be returned to parliament for 3rd reading.
  • Bill C-201 / An Act to amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act (deletion of deduction from annuity).

    The second part of the debate for bill C-201 is scheduled in the House of Commons for May 12, 2009, at 5:30 PM, Ottawa time. The vote will take place on May 13, 2009. The time for the vote has not been determined yet. The proceedings and vote can be viewed live on the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC).

    Once again, you are requested to write/phone all Members’ of Parliament to seek their support of Bill C-201. If the motion is defeated in the House of Commons, the Bill will be withdrawn. It can no longer be denied that Military/RCMP Veterans were unfairly and unjustly treated. 116 Former Colonels and Generals have backed up this claim!

    Military/RCMP Personnel are not Public Servants. They must not be forgotten once they take off their uniform. They have gallantly served their country Canada. In their Golden years they deserve to be treated fairly and justly. Also remember their spouses. Note that in the UK, Superannuation contributions are paid entirely by the Government while surviving spouses are now eligible for 66% of benefits paid before death.

    
    
  • Bill C-201 has moved to a top priority on the List of Private Member's Bills. You are encouraged to contact your Member of Parliament to advocate for passage of this very important Bill.
  • As approved by the Legion Dominion President, comrade Wilf Edmond, The Legion supports Bill C-201 (a private member's Bill proposed by MP Peter Stoffer) which would amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act and the RCMP Superannuation Act to eliminate the deduction of Canada Pension Plan benefits from annuity payable under each of these acts.
    —28 November 2008
  • View Bill C-201 (PDF)
• Improvements to Disability Awards and other Disability benefits—
  The British authorities have recently announced some substantial improvements to disability benefits for modern Veterans. The Dominion President has written to the Minister Veterans Affairs advocating for similar improvements to disability benefits for Canadian Veterans

  • Britain to Double Compensation for War Wounded—PDF
  • Letter from Dominion President to Minister VAC (Dec 17 2008)—PDF
  • Letter from Dominion President to Minister VAC (Mar 20 2009)—PDF
• New Veterans Charter Advisory Group—
  The next meeting will take place on 28-29 April 2009 in Ottawa. We would appreciate your feedback on potential improvements to the NVC. Please send an e-mail to pallard@legion.ca
• Update: Bill C-37—
  Legion President's Presentation to Senate Sub Committee on Veterans Affairs—13 February 2008 (PDF)
• Lost Canadians—
  Legion Presentation to Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration—11 February 2008 (PDF)
• Update on New Veterans Charter (NVC)—
  Study on the services and benefits provided to veterans in recognition of their services to Canada (PDF)
• Urgency of Enlarging Access to VIP—
  Letter to Prime Minister Harper—September 2007 (PDF)
• Health Benefits Review and other Advocacy Issues—
  Legion presentation to Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs—05 June 07 (PDF)