Union alleges systemic harassment, discrimination at Veterans Affairs Canada
by The Canadian Press
Last Updated Feb 2, 2021 at 4:44 pm EDT
OTTAWA One of the unions representing workers at Veterans Affairs Canada is alleging widespread harassment and discrimination within the department following a survey of its members.
The Union of Veterans Affairs Employees says more than one-third of the 350 Veterans Affairs staff members who responded to the survey reported having experienced harassment in the workplace.
The union says the survey also found that 19 per cent of respondents reported having faced discrimination based on their background, gender or sexuality.
The union’s national president Virginia Vaillancourt says she has brought the concerns to Veterans Affairs but that she remains unsatisfied with its response to date.
MP Motz promotes Valentines for Veterans
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Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner MP Glen Motz is hoping youth remember veterans on Valentine’s Day this year. For the past 25 years, children across Canada have been creating Valentines for Vets as a way to thank Canada’s veterans for the sacrifices they have made. “This is a simple but profound way of reminding our children to thank those who sacrificed so much for our Canadian freedoms,” Motz said. Valentines for Vets is an interactive project for teachers with their students and parents with their children. Sharing the accomplishments and sacrifices of veterans gives young people a greater understanding of Canada’s proud military history.
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-Linda Sharpin, Royal Canadian Legion Br. 309, President
“I am writing today to express how grateful we at Branch 340 are for the generous support in the amount of $10,845.05 which we received from the federal government in order to assist our Branch through these tough pandemic times. This money will go a long way to help cover the costs of our monthly expenses to allow our Branch to support our Veterans and our community.”
-Robert Harrison, Royal Canadian Legion Br. 340, President
“The Royal Canadian Legion Walkerton Branch 102 would like to thank MP Ben Lobb and the federal government for the contribution towards our Legion during this pandemic. We received $10,533 to assist us while we are closed. We offer assistance to veterans, serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, and/or their dependents. Thanks to this support from the Federal government and our community, the Walkerton Legion will once again be able to open our doors and operate for
From: National Defence
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, today issued the following statement in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day.
January 28, 2021 – Ottawa – National Defence / Veterans Affairs Canada
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, today issued the following statement in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced each of us to navigate through uncertain and undeniably stressful times. The Bell Let’s Talk campaign provides us with an excellent opportunity to open up about the challenges we have faced this past year, and is a reminder of how important our connection with others is. That is why the theme for this year’s campaign is ‘When it comes to mental hea