This executive summary lays out highlights from the report Veterans First:聽A Policy Roadmap to Support Veterans鈥� Mental Health聽written by Max Bell School Master of Public Policy students Al Ahamed, Clea Corman, Bianca Mammarella, and No茅mie Veilleux聽as part of the 2025 Policy Lab.
Access the summary and presentation below, and read their full report here.
In 2021, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) put out a call for a $560 million contract over 5.5 years to create a comprehensive and integrated rehabilitation system for Veterans, known as the Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services (PCVRS). Awarded to Lifemark Health Group and WCG International Consultants Ltd., the program was designed to improve care for Veterans by providing seamless medical, psychosocial, and vocational support. However, over the first two years, numerous concerns have been raised by Veterans, care providers, and advocacy organizations about its implementation, particularly the transition from the previous system, delays in Veterans鈥� care, and issues with the quality of services provided.
A report was issued by the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2023 summarizing the concerns of key stakeholders. Members of the Veteran community expressed that the progress to date was unsatisfactory. In light of these concerns, this brief reports on the following question;
鈥淲hat steps should the federal government take to ensure that the highest-quality mental health programming is provided to Veterans released from the military due to illness or injury?鈥�
Prior to PCVRS, Medavie Blue Cross administered VAC鈥檚 rehabilitation programs through a decentralized approach whereby multiple contractors administered different services under two separate contracts. The introduction of PCVRS aimed to fix this by offering a more holistic, Veteran-centred approach to rehabilitation under a single contract. However, the system has faced challenges in addressing the unique needs of Veterans, particularly regarding their mental health care and continuity of services. A mixed-methods approach was employed 鈥� integrating a systematic literature review, 16 stakeholder consultations, and a thematic analysis 鈥� that highlighted the importance of eight key insights, including how;
- Decentralized Approaches to Health Negatively Impact Continuity of Care: The continuity of care for Veterans and military families is significantly hindered by the fragmentation of a provincially regulated healthcare system and an additional administrative burden introduced by PCVRS.
- Fragmented Collaboration Undermines Veteran Care: Holistic and comprehensive healthcare requires VAC, PCVRS, and advocacy groups to effectively collaborate, share best practices, and help others navigate the ecosystem of services.
- Public Perception Regarding Veterans is Misleading and Harmful: A lack of public awareness about the unique needs of Veterans, paired with harmful misconceptions about their mental health, creates barriers for acquiring effective funding and support.
- Poor Transparency and Accountability Weakens PCVRS鈥� Service Delivery: A lack of transparency and accountability in reporting, evaluation, and consultation measures within PCVRS is hindering its effectiveness and public trust.
- Lack of Standardized Mental Health Training Harms Veterans: Specialized care and a trauma-informed approach are key components in ensuring quality mental health care for Veterans.
- Data Mismanagement Erodes Veterans鈥� Trust: Disorganized data practices in PCVRS compromise confidentiality, hinder coordination, and force Veterans to relive trauma through repeated assessments.
- Unequal Access to Services Undermines Mental Health Outcomes: Veterans across Canada face unequal access to care under PCVRS, with rural and remote populations disproportionately underserved by inconsistent case management and ineffective virtual therapy.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) May Play a Role to Advance Veteran Mental Health Support: The evaluation of AI for trauma-informed support presents a unique opportunity to enhance access to mental health resources for Veterans.
To respond to these challenges, a coordinated set of recommendations have been developed and grouped into three strategic categories, drawing on leading international and domestic practices, with corresponding estimated costs totalling $9,037,645;
Systems-Level Recommendations for an Ethical and Equitable Policy
To improve access, coordination, and trust within the Veteran care system, the Government of Canada should implement an integrated strategy that includes:
- Adopting a universal definition of 鈥榁eteran鈥� across all federal programs and service providers;
- Establishing clear accountability mechanisms, including annual independent evaluations and structured opportunities for Veteran input; and
- Developing a secure, centralized data management system with role-based access and trauma-informed protocols.
These measures will reduce fragmentation, enhance equity, and improve consistent, high-quality care for all who have served.
The estimated yearly cost to VAC for these recommendations is $2,499,933.
Clinical-Level Recommendations for Delivering Compassionate and Effective Care
To improve mental health outcomes for Veterans across Canada, the Government of Canada should implement an integrated strategy that includes:
- Mandating team-based, patient-centred care coordination by clearly defining roles and streamlining collaboration between stakeholders;
- Standardizing case management and referral pathways across jurisdictions, ensuring all Veterans have timely access to trauma-informed care; and
- Fostering a culture of continuous learning and resource sharing by promoting that all federally contracted practitioners complete military cultural competency and trauma-informed care training.
This approach would allow for a nationwide, cohesive system that recognizes the complexity of Veterans鈥� needs, supports the professionals who care for them, and upholds Canada's commitment to those who served.
The estimated yearly cost to VAC for these recommendations is $2,840,298.
Public-Level Recommendations to Foster Better Public Perception of Veterans
To improve mental health outcomes for Veterans across Canada, the Government of Canada should implement an integrated strategy that includes:
- Increasing funding for public education initiatives that challenge stereotypes; and
- Implementing targeted educational initiatives to raise awareness and reduce stigma around Veterans鈥� mental health.
This approach would foster public empathy, reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues for Veterans, and promote long-term cultural change.
The estimated yearly cost to VAC for these recommendations is $3,697,414.
Future Directions
Further research is urgently needed in two critical areas. First, the evaluation of AI for trauma-informed support should be prioritized to determine whether emerging tools like PTSD Coach 2.0 and internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) can safely and effectively enhance access to care. These tools offer discreet points of entry and promise for underserved populations, but must be developed with Veteran co-design, ethical oversight, and proper training for practitioners to avoid unintended harm. Second, further and continuous research on Veterans from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous Veterans, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Veterans must be conducted. A lack of publicly available data is a limitation of this report whereby a fully intersectional lens could not be satisfactorily integrated when drafting recommendations to address the potential distinct needs of equity-deserving groups.
Canada has the knowledge, resources, and leadership capacity to deliver on its commitment to Veterans. What is required now is a $9M additional investment and action; a 1.6% increase to the original $560M PCVRS investment. Coordinated, trauma-informed, and culturally competent care is necessary to ensure Veterans receive the support they need and deserve.
This policy brief was developed in partnership with Pembroke Psychological Services and Valhalla Visions Counselling Clinic as part of an experiential learning project for the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 黑料不打烊 University. While the strategic policy options are intended for federal consideration, Pembroke Psych and Valhalla Visions may leverage this work to inform ongoing dialogue with policymakers, service providers, and other stakeholders dedicated to advancing mental health care in Canada.
