Veterans

Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Frustration, anxiety persist as Liberals claim success on wait times for veterans

An estimated 23,000 veterans are waiting for their disability claims to be processed by the federal department

 

The Victoria Cross Medal belonging to Pte. James Peter Robertson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals, Canadian War Museum

‘War hero of the family’: Canadian War Museum acquires 3 more Victoria Crosses

Museum now has 36 of the 73 Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians in the First World War

 

Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Frustration, anxiety persist as Liberals claim success on wait times for veterans

More than 23,000 veterans have disability claims that are waiting to be processed

 

Chief Petty Officer First Class (retired) Jake McDavid stands in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Veterans’ parade returns to national Remembrance Day after two-year hiatus

Parade was cancelled the past two years due to health concerns associated with the COVID-19

Chief Petty Officer First Class (retired) Jake McDavid stands in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay (left), Minister of Veterans Affairs, speaks with members of 19 Wing Comox at the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Centre Lazo, British Columbia, on February 10, 2020. Photo credit: Corporal Joey Beaudin, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

MP Rachel Blaney says that veterans deserve better care from Liberal government

Union of Veterans Affairs Employees calling for replacement of Minister Lawrence MacAulay

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay (left), Minister of Veterans Affairs, speaks with members of 19 Wing Comox at the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Centre Lazo, British Columbia, on February 10, 2020. Photo credit: Corporal Joey Beaudin, Canadian Armed Forces Photo
Retired Staff Sgt.-Maj. Kathy Rochlitz (left), Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Craig Thompson, Dave Sinclair and Norm Scott pose for a photo after presenting the first poppy at Government House on Oct. 25. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

B.C. lieutenant governor presented with first poppy to kick off 2022 campaign

Funds raised from annual Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign supports veterans

Retired Staff Sgt.-Maj. Kathy Rochlitz (left), Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Craig Thompson, Dave Sinclair and Norm Scott pose for a photo after presenting the first poppy at Government House on Oct. 25. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney (left) in Gallipoli, Turkey in September. Photo courtesy Facebook/Rachel Blaney

North Island-Powell River MP dedicates memorial to WWI fighters in Turkey

Blaney is also NDP Critic for Veterans Affairs

  • Oct 11, 2022
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney (left) in Gallipoli, Turkey in September. Photo courtesy Facebook/Rachel Blaney
Medical marijuana is shown in Toronto, Nov. 5, 2017. An internal audit outlining significant problems with Ottawa’s administration of hundreds of millions of dollars in medical marijuana for veterans is being met with shock and concern by mental-health providers and others.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

‘Wild West’: Audit on veterans’ medical cannabis sparks calls for oversight, research

Probe sparks calls to better protect at-risk veterans and taxpayer dollars

Medical marijuana is shown in Toronto, Nov. 5, 2017. An internal audit outlining significant problems with Ottawa’s administration of hundreds of millions of dollars in medical marijuana for veterans is being met with shock and concern by mental-health providers and others.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
B.C. filmmaker Eric Brunt is working to preserve as many Second World War veterans’ stories on film as possible. (Credit: Phil Hossack)

‘Last possible second’: B.C. filmmaker racing to preserve remaining WWII veterans’ stories

Average Canadian WWII veteran now 97 years old

B.C. filmmaker Eric Brunt is working to preserve as many Second World War veterans’ stories on film as possible. (Credit: Phil Hossack)
A group of Canadian veterans headed to the mountains of Whistler Saturday (Aug. 27) for a hike drawing attention to chronic pain. (Black Press Media file photo)

Veterans seek adventure in Whistler to bring awareness to chronic pain

12 veterans helicoptered to Whistler peak Saturday (Aug. 27) for 7 km hike

  • Aug 29, 2022
A group of Canadian veterans headed to the mountains of Whistler Saturday (Aug. 27) for a hike drawing attention to chronic pain. (Black Press Media file photo)
A model of a Spitfire plane Pierce George Brewster flew in the Second World War was unveiled at Vancouver Island Military Museum Aug. 18. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Island Second World War Spitfire vet’s service saluted in military museum exhibit

Vancouver Island Military Museum expands Spitfire display

A model of a Spitfire plane Pierce George Brewster flew in the Second World War was unveiled at Vancouver Island Military Museum Aug. 18. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Medical marijuana is shown in Toronto, Nov. 5, 2017.The federal government is reimbursing a record number of veterans for medical marijuana, with new figures showing Ottawa shelled out more than $150 million in the last fiscal year alone – more than double the amount just three years ago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

Ottawa on track to spend $200M per year on cannabis for veterans

Compensation for medical cannabis began in 2008 and has skyrocketed since

Medical marijuana is shown in Toronto, Nov. 5, 2017.The federal government is reimbursing a record number of veterans for medical marijuana, with new figures showing Ottawa shelled out more than $150 million in the last fiscal year alone – more than double the amount just three years ago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
RCMP Corp. Amadeo Vecchio (left) returns World War documents and medals to Michael Wintermute. The items belonged to his father and grandfather. (Photo Brittany Webster)

World War discharge certificate and medals come home to owner

Items were stolen from a home in fall 2021 but the theft was not reported to police

RCMP Corp. Amadeo Vecchio (left) returns World War documents and medals to Michael Wintermute. The items belonged to his father and grandfather. (Photo Brittany Webster)
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney speaks during Question Period on April 1, 2022 in Ottawa. Credit: Christian Diotte, House of Commons Photo Services

North Island-Powell River MP calls for end of ‘sexist’ marriage after 60 clause

Clause prevents spouses of veterans who marry after 60 from receiving survivor pension

North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney speaks during Question Period on April 1, 2022 in Ottawa. Credit: Christian Diotte, House of Commons Photo Services
Emilie Poulin celebrates after a successful powerlift at the 2022 Invictus Games. Photo by Lyndon Goveas, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services

Vancouver Island veterans enjoy experience of a lifetime at Invictus Games

Comox 19 Wing members Cpl. Emilie Poulin, chief warrant officer (retired) Rock…

Emilie Poulin celebrates after a successful powerlift at the 2022 Invictus Games. Photo by Lyndon Goveas, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services
Premier John Horgan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were in Vancouver Tuesday (May 24) to announce the 2025 Invictus Games will be held in the city. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

$30M pledged for Vancouver to host winter hybrid Invictus Games in 2025

Province, federal government each contributing $15 million to event

Premier John Horgan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were in Vancouver Tuesday (May 24) to announce the 2025 Invictus Games will be held in the city. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Stocky Edwards' funeral was at Christ the King Catholic Church in Courtenay on May 20. Photo by MIke Chouinard

World War II flying ace Stocky Edwards laid to rest in Courtenay

“He was a hero when we needed heroes.”

Stocky Edwards' funeral was at Christ the King Catholic Church in Courtenay on May 20. Photo by MIke Chouinard
A ceremony at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery on May 8, 2022 (Brittany Webster - Capital News)

Memorial ceremony in Kelowna disrupted when woman drives over graves

People were gathered at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery to mark the anniversary of the end of WWII

A ceremony at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery on May 8, 2022 (Brittany Webster - Capital News)
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was 105 years ago. Photo courtesy Rachel Blaney

North Island-Powell River MP marks 105th anniversary of Vimy Ridge as part of federal delegation to Europe

Delegation also took part in opening ceremonies of Invictus Games

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was 105 years ago. Photo courtesy Rachel Blaney
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney speaks during the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs meeting on March 23. Photo courtesy Youtube

LGBTQ2S+ veterans speak to Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs

Veterans ‘deserve far better service from VAC’ during transition out of forces — MP Rachel Blaney

North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney speaks during the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs meeting on March 23. Photo courtesy Youtube