Canada's Veterans Ombud

Our 2025-2026 Annual Report is available now. Over the past year, the voices of Veterans, serving members, Survivors and families helped guide our work - from a systemic report to new resource guides, and continued efforts to promote fairness, transparency and trust. https://ow.ly/OUhV50ZeejJ

Being a widow or widower is hard enough, finding information shouldn’t be. We developed a resource guide to help survivors quickly find information on the supports available through Veterans Affairs Canada. Learn more: https://ow.ly/MEU150YUGsT

Upcoming Town Hall Meeting with the Veterans Ombud in Stony Plain, AB, on June 23! Veterans, serving CAF and RCMP members, survivors, family and friends are invited to attend the upcoming Town Hall meeting in Stony Plain, Tuesday, June 23 from 7 to 9 pm (local time). Please see details in the picture below. Come connect, share, and learn about the support and services available to you.

In our 2025-2026 Annual Report, we share what we’ve heard: when fairness falls short, trust is impacted. We’re here to help restore it. Read more: https://ow.ly/VKjm50Zcq6K

If you’re the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a military or RCMP member or Veteran, you and your dependent children may be entitled to programs, benefits, and services offered by VAC. The OVO developed a guide to help survivors navigate the complexities of benefits offered by VAC. https://ow.ly/jVoL50YUwGW

Our 2025-2026 Annual Report is now available.

We received the highest number of complaints and information requests this last year in our office’s history – reflecting both a growing demand for support and increased awareness of our Office.

Read more about what we’re hearing and how we’re helping: https://ow.ly/XkQG50ZbaXA

Clear, consistent and accurate information matters! If you’ve lost a loved one who served, finding information on Veterans Affairs Canada’s supports shouldn’t be confusing. We developed a Survivors Resource Guide to bring together information on VAC programs, benefits and services available to eligible survivors. https://ow.ly/CNMW50YTfxq

Our Survivors Resource Guide is launching soon - bringing together information on VAC benefits and services for surviving spouses and common-law partners of CAF and RCMP Veterans and members. Stay tuned!

Why is the Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) only 90% of my pre-release military salary? We hear this question often.

The IRB is calculated based on provisions under the Veterans Well-being Act. While you’re in the VAC Rehabilitation Program, the benefit is meant to provide financial support equal to 90% of your applicable monthly military salary or a minimum amount, whichever is greater.
VAC must calculate the IRB using the formula set out in the law.

Your monthly military salary amount is also adjusted every January after release or completion of service, to reflect the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.

For a simple, plain-language explanation of how IRB is calculated, see our infographic https://ow.ly/xPZ050Z3mAo

Today in Barrie! The Veterans Ombud Town Hall gets underway in Ontario. Veterans, CAF & RCMP members, survivors, families & friends - join us to connect and learn about support, from 7 to 9 pm (local time).