Evidence of meeting #49 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was housing.
A video is available from Parliament.
September 22nd, 2026 / 12:15 p.m.
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
That was my next question.
Could VETS have used the funding? What could you have done with the funding?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
We probably could have helped even more veterans. In cases in which a veteran comes to us and their need is going to cost a lot more than what one organization can afford, we will often collaborate with other community organizations. It's wonderful to collaborate, but it comes with...I shouldn't say a negative side, but it can become confusing for a veteran when they're dealing with a bunch of different organizations.
If we had the extra money, instead of reaching out to another organization and asking if it can split the cost of whatever, then we would probably do a lot more in-house.
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
When you think about $3 million, could you tell us how many veterans you could have helped?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
We have figured out that on average we spend about $3,500 per veteran. Do the math. I'm not good at math.
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
This is a big deal, because it is cheaper to prevent homelessness and invest in prevention rather than investing after the fact.
Could you talk about what preventive measures you could have invested this $3 million in?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
On the prevention side, we help out with things like arrears rent payments, utilities payments, food, clothing and household items. We could certainly have used the $3 million for all of those things to help a veteran stay in their home.
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Is it fair to say, then, that there are scenarios in which veterans become homeless because the help did not arrive fast enough?
You're talking about veterans in need and how it's difficult to navigate all the different programs. That's where you come in and assist them. Have you seen the complexity of accessing all these programs lead to a veteran, in fact, becoming homeless?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
It is complex, confusing and overwhelming for veterans to try to make sense of all the programs that are available. Programs like the veteran homelessness program are wonderful benefits, but they need to be less complicated and more seamless for veterans.
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Is it fair to say that sometimes bureaucracy turns a housing problem into a homelessness problem?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
You could say that, yes.
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Thank you for that.
Is there a problem with lack of money? Is there a need for additional funding to support veterans?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
Absolutely, yes.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
What I say to people generally is this: The public thinks that when members of the Canadian Armed Forces take off the uniform, they are well cared for. The general public does not realize that somebody has to serve 10 years to get even a tiny pension and they have to serve 25 years to get 50% of their pre-release income, so leaving service is not lucrative. Many veterans are not in a great headspace when they leave, but they are still forced to entertain a second career in order to make ends meet. We could do a much better job of looking after them.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thank you very much.
Ms. Hirtle, welcome to OGGO. The floor is yours for six minutes.
Liberal
Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm very pleased to be here this morning. Thanks to you folks for being here as well.
Mr. Field, I was very pleased to hear you mention the idea of a framework for the community hub concept, because that's exactly what I'm hoping this study will lead to: the creation of a framework so that we can take the case study of the Amherst armoury and roll it out across the country to provide more buildings, housing and services for veterans. Thank you for highlighting that.
I have a feeling I'm going to address most of my questions to Ms. Lowther this morning.
You've talked about your experiences relating to veterans who are unhoused and require services. How does being unhoused impact a veteran? Is it different from the general public?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
It is. Veterans deal with a lot of the same issues that homeless civilians deal with, but then they're also dealing with the effects of their service.
There's also the aspect of their pride. A lot of veterans are very proud and don't want to come forward and ask for help, so the homelessness experience for veterans is different.
Liberal
Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Thank you.
Can you expand on your plans for the armoury? If you get that lovely property handed over to VETS Canada for housing, what will you do there?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
What we envision, as I said, is 18 to 20 units, but again, it's important that it not be only housing. The wraparound supports and programming have to be available there. I mentioned financial literacy seminars.
We've also talked a little about maybe having a satellite recruitment office, because in Nova Scotia right now, there is only one recruitment office for the regular force, and it's in Halifax. Folks in rural areas have a difficult time getting there, and that could be a barrier to joining the Canadian Armed Forces for people, so we thought that this could be an opportunity.
On the site of the Amherst armoury there is also a three-bay or four-bay garage where we envision doing a social enterprise in which veterans can do car work as mechanics and that sort of thing. It could generate income for them and give them a sense of purpose. We would intend to keep the museum there as well.
Liberal
Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS
The museum, the Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum, has found a temporary location since the armoury's closure, but we are hoping to have it back and relocate it with the housing units and the other services at the armoury.
Thank you for all of that.
What would be the benefit of offering a community hub—as you've noted and as Mr. Field referenced—and having not just housing but all the wraparound services there in one facility? What would be the benefit to veterans and then to the greater community, would you say?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
The benefit is that it's a one-stop-shop situation. Veterans wouldn't have to try to figure out how to navigate benefits. They could do it all right there in the space where they live. It helps them by not having to travel to the city or that sort of thing. The convenience is there.
We know that veterans struggle with isolation at times. Having all the supports and services right there would probably promote a bit less isolation.
Liberal
Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Absolutely. Yes. Thank you.
Cumberland—Colchester is a very rural riding in Nova Scotia. I don't have a handle on how many veterans there are who may be unhoused. Have you ever done that kind of digging?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veterans Emergency Transition Services
I can tell you that, since it started in 2010, VETS Canada has supported just over 6,000 veterans, with 806 in Nova Scotia and 107 in Cumberland county.
Liberal
Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS
That does not surprise me. Thank you for those numbers. They're really helpful.
Mr. Field, I have one minute left. I'm wondering, from a rural perspective, how important it is.... There's been talk about difficulty getting to an urban centre for appointments and services. You talked about something similar to a community hub in your presentation.
How important would it be to have these services available in a more rural environment?