Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today on behalf of Veterans Emergency Transition Services, or VETS Canada.
In April 2024, it was reported that the federal government planned to divest 14 surplus properties for housing. Among those properties was the Amherst armoury in Nova Scotia. When the announcement was made, we contacted former member of Parliament Bill Casey, who had been working with a group of people for many years to save that armoury. Amherst is my husband's hometown, and Mr. Casey is a family friend. We immediately arranged a meeting with Mr. Casey, the then mayor of Amherst and the CAO of the Town of Amherst to discuss what might be possible. We shared our vision for the armoury, and there was strong support.
Our vision includes approximately 18 one-bedroom units for homeless and disadvantaged veterans, along with a VETS Canada office staffed by trained social services workers, who could provide the wraparound supports. The armoury previously housed the Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum, and we envision the museum remaining there and being enhanced. Most importantly, we want to preserve this recognized federal heritage building as a landmark and a living monument to the thousands of soldiers who trained there for three wars, including the 486 who trained there but never made it home.
We believe that VETS Canada is well suited to operate such a facility. Since our founding in 2010, we have worked directly with veterans in communities across Canada, providing immediate practical support to Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or experiencing crisis.
This frontline experience has taught us an important lesson: Veteran homelessness is rarely just a housing issue. A veteran may need a roof over their head, but they may also be dealing with food insecurity, financial instability, difficulty navigating government programs, challenges transitioning from military to civilian life, or the loss of the community and sense of belonging that came with military service.
This is why we strongly support exploring the use of surplus and underused federal lands and buildings for veterans housing and services, but we would encourage the government to think beyond simply converting surplus properties into housing units. The real opportunity is to create veteran-focused community hubs in which housing and support services exist together.
Imagine a facility in which a veteran experiencing homelessness can access safe, affordable housing while also receiving assistance with food security, financial support, employment, benefits navigation, mental health referrals and other practical needs. Imagine that same facility providing a place for veterans to gather for peer support, programming, financial literacy, cooking programs or simply a cup of coffee with someone who understands their experiences. That connection matters.
Military service creates a powerful sense of community. When someone leaves the Canadian Armed Forces—particularly when the transition is difficult—losing that sense of community can have a profound impact. Veteran-focused facilities can help rebuild the connection while providing the practical assistance that veterans need.
We also believe the federal government has an opportunity to work with established and vetted veteran-serving organizations. Organizations across Canada already have the relationships, knowledge and experience necessary to support veterans. What many lack is affordable, appropriate physical space. Making suitable federal properties available through long-term leases, nominal cost arrangements, transfers or partnerships could allow these assets to support veterans and communities for decades.
There is also a practical economic argument. When a federal building is vacant or significantly underused, Canadians continue to carry the cost of that asset while receiving limited public benefit. Repurposing appropriate properties for veterans housing and services can turn an underused government asset into a lasting community asset. We encourage the government to consult with veterans and veteran-serving organizations and, when appropriate properties are identified, to move forward without unnecessary delay.
Canada already owns these assets, while veteran-serving organizations already possess much of the expertise needed to deliver service and communities across the country have veterans who need affordable housing, practical support and connection. Bringing those three things together could create something far more valuable than simply disposing of surplus property. It could create places in which veterans could stabilize their lives, reconnect with communities and move forward with dignity.
We strongly support the committee's exploring a model that prioritizes veterans housing, integrated support services, partnerships with established veteran-serving organizations and long-term community benefit.
I will close with one of our VETS Canada tag lines, which summarizes our core belief: “Those who protected our home should never be without one.”
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today and for undertaking this important study.