Veterans Affairs Canada announces funding for CIMVHR and Servicewomen’s Salute website

Minister MacAulay confirmed funding in the amount of $25 million, over 10 years, for the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) this week.

Funding for CIMVHR, who is part of the 5-eyes Mental Health Research and Innovation Collaboration, was proposed as part of a larger push for Veteran-centric research in the Budget 2019 announcement.

“CIMVHR has worked tirelessly to build a collaborative network between academia, government, industry and philanthropy to advance research in the area of military, Veteran and family health and wellbeing. Recognizing the importance of research and the impact it has on those who so selflessly serve, and their families, this Government of Canada funding will continue to strengthen the foundation for CIMVHR to continue leading the way for the next ten years. We are honoured to continue serving those who serve us,” says Dr. David Pedlar, Scientific Director, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research.

Research done by CIMVHR is used by departmental decision and policy makers, program planners, health managers, clinicians and various stakeholders as they support the physical, mental and social health of Veterans and their families.

The Government of Canada’s current contribution agreement to fund the operations of CIMVHR with Health Canada ends on March 31, 2020.

“Research has shown that one in four Canadian Armed Forces members will have trouble transitioning from military to civilian life—this is particularly true for women in uniform. A robust and customized research and community resource of information, research, support, and engagement for Canadian military women would help servicewomen navigate their transitions more easily. This financial contribution from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund will allow Queen’s University and the Centre for International and Defence Policy to partner the health needs of those who served in Canada’s armed forces depends on access to leading scientific research in the military and Veteran health field. Queen’s University has been an invaluable asset to our Veteran community in this regard, both in terms of the work they’ve done for CIMVHR and Servicewomen’s Salute. Continued collaboration between all stakeholders in this area benefits not only military members, Veterans and their families—but Canada as a whole.” Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Minister MacAulay also recognized the work that Queen’s University staff have done toward changing the Servicewomen’s Salute website into the Servicewomen’s Salute Online Portal for Research and Resources.

Queen’s will receive a total of $210,000 over 5 years from VAC via the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund, $42,000 a year from 2018-2023.

In a press release, the Servicewomen’s Salute Online Portal for Research and Resources announced three core goals: to compile a comprehensive literature review of research about women Veterans and a scan for resources, in both English and French; to transform the Servicewomen’s Salute website into an online Portal that can accommodate greater traffic, web-security and data protection, content generation, and regular cross-postings with social media; and to produce English and French language blog posts for knowledge translation of research materials for women Veterans.

The announcement was held on Wednesday at Queen’s University in Mitchell Hall.

Yvonne Cooper, Executive Director, Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research was MC for the event which was also attended by local Veterans’ organizations, stakeholders Queen’s University and CIMVHR staff, as well as Legion, RCMP and CAF representatives.

This year celebrates the 10th annual CIMVHR Forum which will be held in Ottawa-Gatineau at the Hilton Lac-Leamy from October 21-23 2019.