Veterans Affairs Committee on June 3rd, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 36 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the committee is meeting on its study of the experience of Black veterans.

Before we continue, I'd like to ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio incidents and acoustic shocks, and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including our esteemed interpreters.

We have two witnesses with us today.

I know we're still waiting for a witness, but I'd like to begin the meeting with the witness who is present.

I would like to welcome Mr. Isaac Bosquet.

Mr. Bosquet, you'll have five minutes for your opening remarks. You're participating by video conference, so you can't see me, but I would ask you to try to be mindful of the time. Sometimes I have to cut people off. I apologize in advance, but I have to respect the allotted time, not only to the witnesses, but also to the committee members who will be asking you questions.

Thank you very much for being with us, Mr. Bosquet. You have the floor for five minutes.

[Isaac Bosquet, As an Individual]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thank you again for the invitation. It's quite an honour for me to be able to be here, and to tell you about my journey in the Canadian Armed Forces and my experience after leaving the forces.

I joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2018, but in 2020, I had to leave the forces because of COVID‑19. I was posted to Trenton, Ontario, and my family was in Quebec City. They couldn't find me an assignment in Quebec City. That's why I was granted a release during the COVID‑19 pandemic. I was able to leave the forces at the end of July 2020 and return to civilian life.

My time in the forces was great. I'm an aviator and aeronautical systems technician. I was trained at Borden as an aeronautical systems technician. I know that's one of the professions that is in high demand in the forces. I wanted to see how I could continue to serve in the forces, even after I left. I wanted to see if I could enlist again, even on a part-time basis. It was an uphill battle. I know that this experience is due to COVID‑19. It may have lengthened the entire exit process as much as the re-enrolment process. I did intend to enlist in the forces again, even on a part-time basis, in Quebec, to pursue my military career.

Now, since 2020, that is, since I left the forces—

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Mr. Bosquet, I'm very sorry, but we're having a problem with interpretation. I'm so sorry. I apologize for the inconvenience. Since you're our only witness, we have a bit more flexibility, so maybe I'll ask you, if that would be—

We should be okay.

The problem is solved.

Again, I apologize profusely.

You may continue, Mr. Bosquet.

[Isaac Bosquet]

I was going to say that, when I left the forces, it was during COVID‑19. It's probably not the best time to use as an example. There was probably some red tape in all the institutions. That's normal, because there were a lot of adjustments to be made during that period.

When I left the forces to return to civilian life, a little support for mental health or career counselling could have helped me. I would also like to tell the committee that, since 2020, I have had no other jobs. After the Canadian military, I had to go into business. It would certainly be desirable to have support in choosing a career or for people like me, who are currently entrepreneurs. I know a lot of people choose to work or go into business. They should receive support from Veterans Affairs Canada.

I left the forces in 2020, but only received my veteran's card this year. Still, I don't really know what resources exist in the organization. I even tried reaching out a few times, but I didn't really get a positive response. I don't want to blame the institution directly, but I'd say quite a bit of information remains inaccessible unless you dig deep. It's increasingly complicated to find information that exists for veterans.

As we always say, among people who have served in the forces, we already know that there are problems, whether it's mental health, psychological isolation or something else. In my case, I have great support from my family and other people. However, as a former military member and as a Black person who served in the forces, we would need support to understand how things work or even to know what resources exist. It's important for us to know how we can redirect our careers. Since we served in the forces, they could at least help us in opening some doors. I didn't have access to all that. I still haven't had the opportunity to benefit from that information as a veteran.

I don't know what questions you'll ask, but I'm at your disposal.

In summary, I joined the forces in 2018. In 2020, I had to leave the forces early. I left in 2020 because I had a posting in Trenton, Ontario, while my family was in Quebec. As you know, during the COVID‑19 pandemic, there were many traffic problems because the borders between the provinces were closed. I was able to get a release and leave the forces. After that, I wanted to enlist in the forces again on a part-time basis, but it was an uphill battle for me.

I know there was an interruption in my opening remarks, but that's what I wanted to say in summary.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Thank you very much, Mr. Bosquet.

On behalf of our committee, I'd like to thank you for your military service to Canada.

We're still waiting for the second witness. We're trying to reach her. In the meantime, I will open the discussion and allow committee members to ask you questions.

Here's how it will work. There will be a first round, during which speaking time will be six minutes for the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the Bloc Québécois. The members of the committee will ask you questions. If their six minutes are up, I'm going to have to cut you off. I'm so sorry about that.

To start, I'll pass it over to Ms. Wagantall.

She will be addressing you in English.

Can you hear the interpretation?

Do you hear me in the language of your choice?

[Isaac Bosquet]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

That's perfect.

Ms. Wagantall, you have six minutes.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

To the member, thank you very much for your service and for your willingness to be here today to share your perspectives on being served by Veterans Affairs. We know that service in the CAF has been a challenge to many individuals for different reasons. I'm so pleased that you are willing to share your perspectives on things with us today.

Can you tell me, please, sir, if you see Veterans Affairs as seeing this as an issue that needs to be dealt with? Have you seen change at all during your time in service and now in your care through Veterans Affairs?

[Isaac Bosquet]

I can't tell you that, because I left the military in 2020. However, I can tell you about my experience as a veteran from 2020 to date. I haven't had the opportunity to connect with a Veterans Affairs counsellor who could have guided me or told me what benefits I'm entitled to as a veteran. I don't know what programs are available to support me in civilian life. I haven't had the opportunity to meet with anyone from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Has there been a change in the department? I can't speak to that. I can speak more about my personal experience. As a Black veteran, I haven't had the opportunity to be in front of a clerk or counsellor who could have told me about Veterans Affairs Canada's services. I probably know there are some, but I'm not familiar with them.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Thank you for that.

I apologize if I'm a little out of sync. My side of the table has been interesting, as far as getting organized today goes. I was not as focused, possibly, as I should have been.

I would like to know this: Since you left in 2020, what was the experience of leaving? I'm just surprised—well, I shouldn't be surprised, maybe—that there was no communication immediately, as you were leaving the forces, to provide you with any information about the potential services you could get from Veterans Affairs. Are you saying that you received no information as you left?

[Isaac Bosquet]

Yes, I didn't have the chance for a counsellor or someone to contact me, but that's still excusable. Just to put things in context, let me remind you that this was during the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020. There was a lot of reorganization, budget cuts and uncertainty, which meant that, just like the economy and society, institutions were paralyzed. However, later on, in 2023 or 2024, for example, no follow-up was done.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

I appreciate what you're saying, especially in regard to COVID as well. However, I've been on this committee since 2015, and we've done a great deal of work to study the transition and make recommendations. One recommendation that the government and National Defence certainly agreed with was that more information needed to be provided to serving members in regard to potential services when they left the forces.

Of course, when you join, you don't see that as being in your future any time soon, and you have plans for a career. However, there needed to be more communication throughout your time serving so that you would have opportunity, when you left, to have a sense of knowing how you could proceed. What I'm hearing from you is that none of that was the case.

As you are a Black veteran—please, if you're comfortable with this—feel free to share what that dynamic was like for you, serving in the armed forces as a Black service member. Is there anything you would like to recommend that we could do, even today, that would make things more fair for those who are from a different background, ethnic background or whatever, to be well cared for, recognized and valued in your service?

[Isaac Bosquet]

Someone who chooses to serve in the armed forces loves their country and is proud to wear the uniform. If, for one reason or another, that person is no longer in the military and becomes a veteran, that person could still serve in the armed forces as an instructor or a reservist, for example. We know there used to be a recruitment problem, but I don't think that's the case anymore. It's a pool of talent, for sure. As I told you, I was trained as an aviation systems technician. It's a profession that requires extensive training. We could utilize those skills and put them to use in the armed forces.

Now, as a Black veteran, I can speak to our reality. When I say “we”, I'm referring to the Black community. I know there have been these systemic issues. We don't engage with the system. Normally, if we aren't called upon for something, most of the time we don't go digging too deep or try to find out what we're entitled to. If you don't bring it up or promote it, we won't know what we're entitled to as veterans. We need to be told not to be afraid to knock on doors or visit a Veterans Affairs Canada office to access these services. I think the department could launch an awareness campaign with veterans to encourage them to knock on doors or make phone calls. I don't know how many there are in the military, but we should at least be able to raise awareness of this.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Thank you very much.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Thank you very much.

I'm sorry. I'm out of time. You've been very helpful.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Thank you very much, Mr. Bosquet.

Once again, as I said, I will have to interrupt people from time to time, because each member's speaking time is limited.

We'll now go to Ms. Auguste for six minutes.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

First, Mr. Bosquet, I'd like to thank you not only for your military service, but also for appearing before the committee today to tell us about your experience.

My first question is about camaraderie. On this committee, we've often discussed the importance that some veterans place on camaraderie after their time in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Do you have a network of Black veterans that you can spend time with, with whom you can share camaraderie and talk about your unique experiences in the Canadian Armed Forces?

[Isaac Bosquet]

No, Ms. Auguste, I don't have a network like that. If there is one, which is likely, I'm not aware of it. I haven't really had access to a network of Black veterans where members and I could have helped each other or even shared information. If there is one, it isn't being promoted so that people know it exists and can be part of this camaraderie.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

When you were in the Canadian Armed Forces, were you the only person of colour? That could explain why you haven't been part of such a network, or is it more likely because members lose touch with one another after leaving the armed forces?

[Isaac Bosquet]

During my training in Trenton, or even during my basic military training, I was pretty much the only person of colour, yes. Yes, I have kept in touch with a few people I trained with in the military. Some of them are still in the military. However, I haven't really had a network like that.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Now you're the CEO and co-founder of DameSara, a Montreal-based multicultural wholesale retail company. So you're now an entrepreneur. We did a really great study on veterans' entrepreneurship.

I'd like you to tell me about the things you may have learned in the Canadian Armed Forces that have helped you and continue to help you in your role as an entrepreneur.

[Isaac Bosquet]

In the military, when we talk about the military ethos, we talk about loyalty, discipline, courage and bravery. These qualities help me in my entrepreneurial journey and mean that, when we have a project, we try to drive it forward and build a team around it. As former service members, we know that you have to have several corps, several units, several battalions to be able to carry out a mission or engage in combat or war. Within the DameSara organization, as you mentioned, Ms. Auguste, we're trying to foster this sense of camaraderie within Black communities so they can come together. Through this venture, I've been able to attract about a hundred investors who have joined this movement. My experience as a former military officer has also helped me attract these people and establish a structure to keep them motivated.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

For my next question, I'm going to go back to something you said, namely, that you didn't really have any support or anything like that. You also spoke of an almost systemic problem affecting Black communities: Resources seem so out of reach that almost no one knows where to turn.

Do you have any recommendations on how we can help not only Black veterans, but all veterans, learn about the services available to them through Veterans Affairs Canada, so that they can access the resources they need?

[Isaac Bosquet]

As I said, it would be important for the department to launch a campaign, if possible, to highlight these people's commitment. They are resources that could be also benefit the department. As veterans, we have a background, a wealth of experience and training. This is a resource that could be called upon for Canada at any time. If we are seen as much more closely connected with the Canadian Armed Forces, there could be some kind of benefit as well. Once we wear the uniform, it's for life. I'm proud to have worn that uniform. At any time, it would be an honour for me to wear the uniform again.

That's what I would encourage the department to do—a promotional campaign, like the ones we see for recruitment. When the armed forces want to recruit, they try to launch promotional campaigns to raise awareness and encourage people to enlist. There could also be a promotional campaign targeting veterans, especially in Black communities. People who have served could then relate to it and try to build a small network to identify their needs. I'm an entrepreneur. I imagine that the Department of Veterans Affairs has resources for people who have served in the military, but there may also be other resources for someone who is an entrepreneur.

In short, a promotional campaign would be a good idea.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Next, I want to talk about your transition. In your case, it took place during the COVID‑19 pandemic. I'd like to know exactly how this departure—albeit a hasty one—from the Canadian Armed Forces went for you. How did you and your family experience it?