The Canadian government has opened applications for its inaugural Women Veterans Council, aimed at addressing inequities and barriers faced by women serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The initiative was announced by the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada and Associate Minister of National Defence.
The Council will comprise women from diverse ranks, backgrounds, and experiences, providing a platform to improve benefits, programs, and services for women Veterans.
“The new Women Veterans Council will play an invaluable role in ensuring that women Veterans are better reflected in our work to serve them,” Minister Petitpas Taylor said. “The voices and lived experiences of Council members will help shape the way we care for and support women Veterans for years to come.”
The creation of the Council follows feedback received at the 2024 Women Veterans Forum in Montreal, where Women Veterans and stakeholders expressed the need for sustained, active engagement with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). The Council will continue discussions on key issues such as women-focused research, health, homelessness, and recognition.
Senator Rebecca Patterson also emphasized the importance of the Council, stating, “The establishment of the new Women Veterans Council will provide a welcomed opportunity to hear and uplift the voices of women Veterans and serving members. This platform is an important and necessary step forward to better understand, and therefore better serve, the women Veteran community.”
The Women Veterans Council will report directly to the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada and Associate Minister of National Defence, offering insights on specific initiatives and priority areas from their unique perspectives. This collaboration aims to address the challenges faced by women in the military and law enforcement.
Quick facts
- The inaugural Women Veterans Forum was held in May 2019, marking the first event of its kind in Canada.
- Women make up nearly one in six Veterans (16.2%) and their numbers continue to grow.
- Veterans Affairs Canada has established a dedicated inbox to facilitate communication with stakeholders in the field of women Veterans’ health.
For more information or to apply to the Women Veterans Council, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website.