Veterans Ombud Hosts Meetings this Week

Above image: Left, marking Peacekeepers Day, right, Veterans Ombud, Col. (ret’d) Nishika Jardine.

Veterans Ombud, Col. (ret’d) Nishika Jardine, will be conducting town halls to hear the concerns of the Veteran community in Ontario this week.

“I am excited to visit Petawawa and I look forward to continuing these important visits across the country. I want to hear directly from Veterans and serving CAF and RCMP members and their families about their experiences and challenges with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) as they seek to access available programs and benefits. These town halls that we hold across the country are a great opportunity to connect with the Veterans community we serve and hear their concerns,” said Jardine.

The town hall allows Jardine to not only hear from the community but also share information on the work the Office of the Veterans Ombud, the office responsible for reviewing complaints against the Department of Veterans Affairs is doing.

Anyone connected to the Veteran community is welcome to attend, including Veterans and serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and RCMP members, survivors, families and friends, according to a press release from the Veterans Ombud’s office.

Visiting Ottawa

Starting in Ottawa, ON, On Sept. 25, Jardine will meet with the Veteran community at the Royal Canadian Legion in Bell’s Corners. The details are as follows:

Location: Royal Canadian Legion, Bells Corners Branch No. 593,

• Address: 4026 Old Richmond Road, Ottawa
• Date: Monday, Sept. 25, 2023
• Time: 19:00 – 20:30 EST

Additionally, the Veterans Ombud will meet with community members in Orleans on Thursday, Sept. 28. The details for that meeting are as follows:

Location: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East – Orleans, Avalon Room

• Address: 500 Brisbois Crescent, Ottawa
• Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023
• Time: 19:00 -20:30 EST

Visiting Petawawa

As part of the visits in Ontario, Jardine will also be stopping in Petawawa, ON, to meet with Veteran community members. The details for that meeting are as follows:

Location: Royal Canadian Legion, Petawawa Branch No. 517,

• Address: 3583 Petawawa Blvd., Petawawa, ON
• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023
• Time: 13:00 – 15:00 EST

 Office of the Veterans Ombud

The Office of the Veterans Ombud reviews complaints and challenges the policies and decisions of VAC where they find individual or systemic unfairness. The office strives to be an independent and respected voice for fairness and a champion for the well-being of Veterans and their families.

The office encourages serving CAF members, RCMP members, Veterans, family members or representatives who feel they have been treated unfairly by VAC or people who would like information about programs and services to contact the Office of the Veterans Ombud.

Visit here for more information on the Office of the Veterans Ombud.