Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon, Minister MacAulay. It's a pleasure to have you here today.
I want to discuss with you the veteran and family well-being fund. We know that veterans receive a great deal of support from their families and friends, and certainly from Veterans Affairs Canada, but veterans organizations are an important factor in providing support. Having spoken to a number of these organizations right here at this committee, we've heard and seen first-hand what crucial work they are doing.
As we all know, the pandemic has only made things a little more challenging for our veterans and the organizations that provide them with support. In 2018, the government began funding many veterans organizations through the veteran and family well-being fund. The groups that are receiving this funding are doing a wide range of work and research on veterans' homelessness, mental health and transitioning to civilian life and on supporting women veterans and so much more.
Minister, you and your department recently announced the 2021 recipients of the veteran and family well-being fund. I would like you to speak a bit more about the importance of this fund and the announcement you recently made.