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OTTAWA, November 26, 2013 – Gordon Moore, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion, announced that he is attending the fourth annual forum of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) which is being held in Edmonton, Alberta between 25 and 27 November 2013.

CIMVHR is establishing itself as an unprecedented and independent leader in Veterans health research in Canada, with the support of 29 universities, the Department of National Defence, Veterans Affairs Canada and our Allied partners. “It is becoming the centre of expertise for the coordination and knowledge network of Veterans health research,” says Mr. Moore. The Royal Canadian Legion is committed to working with the Institute, the 29 partner universities as well as the stakeholder federal government departments in building a national and independent research program focused on Canadian Armed Forces operational experience. The long term effect of independent research on military and Veteran health is significant to ensure a successful transition and a lifelong quality of life.

“The Legion is proud to be part of CIMVHR and we will continue to advocate for independent military and Veterans health research focusing on our unique demographic and operational experience,” says Moore.

“As part of this support, The Royal Canadian Legion is proud to announce an annual scholarship in the amount of $30,000 for a Master’s level student specializing in Military and Veterans Health Research,” states Moore. “This research, in turn, will develop a new generation of researchers focused on the needs of our Veterans and their families.” adds Mr. Moore.

During the lunchtime address to the CIMVHR Forum delegates, the Dominion President announced the Legions commitment to Military and Veterans Health research:

• Last year the Legion provided $5,000 to the University of Western Ontario, to study the impact of homelessness on Aboriginal Veterans.
• Alberta-NWT Command provided $267,000 to the Canadian Military and Veterans Rehabilitation Medicine Chair at the University of Alberta.
• The Royal Canadian Legion is providing to the Veterans Transition Network program $4 million over the next two years to ensure its expansion, deliver programs and continue research.
• The Legion is very honoured to be supporting the research project led by Dr. Susan Ray, “The Health of Canadian Forces Veterans Transition to Civilian Life: A Mixed Methods Study.”. This research will be the first longitudinal study regarding the impact of military service on the Regular, Reserve and Aboriginal Veteran demographic. It is known that 25% of the Canadian Armed Forces Veterans who transition from the Canadian Armed Forces have a difficult adjustment. The Royal Canadian Legion fully supports this proposal and will assist the recruitment of participants through our branches in Halifax, Kingston, Toronto, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Vancouver.
• Most recently, we have embarked on a study to determine our own way ahead to support Veterans with animal assisted therapy.
• We say that one homeless Veteran is too many. However, from our experience with the “Leave the Streets Behind Program”, we know that there is many more than one homeless Veteran. It is time to bring together all levels of government, public and private, care-providers, first responders and the academic community to address this issue. Earlier this month we announced that The Royal Canadian Legion will host the first national Veterans Homeless Summit on 15 April 2014 in Ottawa. Details will be posted to our website at www.legion.ca⁶.

For further information please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion at bruce.poulin@legion.ca⁷ or (613) 591-3335 ext. 241 or by cell at (613) 292-8760.