Two provinces announce new pilot project to help military families transition during a posting

Seamless Canada was an initiative announced on June 27, 2018, and included all provinces and territories. In that first meeting, the focus mainly surrounded the awareness of issues specific to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families during relocation.

The primary goal for Seamless Canada is to better align programs and services for CAF members and their families for things that are likely to change when relocating to a different province. These things include education and health policies, employment credentials, and licensing and plates for drivers and vehicles.

“Alberta, on their end, they announced July 9, they’re going ahead with a pilot project,” said Christina Kasper, senior communications officer Department of Defence. “Their pilot project is going to help plan school attendance for students coming in from other provinces, work with doctors accepting new patients and reserve spots for transferring families, and to provide easier online access through a dedicated webpage.”

Brigadier General Trevor Cadieu of the 3rd Canadian Division said being a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces is hard work, but loving one can be tougher.

“Our families often sacrifice so much to enable uniformed service, and posting requires loved ones to find new schools, jobs, and support services. We are grateful to the Government of Alberta for its efforts to make these transitions easier on our incredible military families,” he added, in a press release issued July 9.

Following Alberta’s announcement of their pilot project, as part of Seamless Canada, New Brunswick announced on July 17, 2018, that they would be focusing on the same goals with a similar pilot project.

“It’s part of a necessary initiative to help CAF members and their families to ease the stresses of relocation,” said Lt. Kasper. “Members have come forward and said every two years they have to pack up and move from province to province. They reached out and said they sometimes have problems. It’s a lot of work to pick up and go somewhere else.”

She continued by saying CAF members have requested more help with programs and services, so they can better work with the new province or territory upon relocation. In turn, the regions can better assist new families.

“We are pleased to be part of this project designed to help make the transition to being posted at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown smoother for members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families,” said Premier Brian Gallant in a press release issued July 17. “The members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families sacrifice so much for all of us, the least we can do is help them all feel supported, appreciated and right at home here in New Brunswick.”