Minister of Veterans Affairs (Canada)


The minister of veterans affairs is the minister of the Crown responsible for the Veterans Affairs Canada, the department of the Government of Canada responsible for administering benefits for members and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and their family members and caregivers.
Since forming government in 2015, Justin Trudeau has appointed the minister of veterans affairs as associate minister of national defence.

History

The position was created in the Canadian Cabinet in 1944. The Department of Veterans Affairs was created out of the Department of Pensions and National Health, and was given the responsibility of administering benefits for war veterans. Its first responsibility was assisting in the reintegration of demobilised soldiers into civilian life and assisting them with health care, education, employment, income support, and pensions.
The department is largely responsible for medical care, rehabilitation, and disability pensions and awards for Veterans. Appeals from departmental decisions on disability pensions and awards are presented by Veterans to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board; Veterans Affairs Canada provides Veterans appearing before the Board with the assistance of lawyers from the semi-autonomous Bureau of Pensions Advocates free of charge.

Ministers

Key:
Prior to 1944, the responsibilities of the current Veterans Affairs portfolio were part of the now-defunct post of Minister of Pensions and National Health.

Military service

Many ministers, all of whom were officers, have had prior military experience. The posting does not, however, require prior military service.
NameBranchNotable unitsRankService period
Milton Fowler GreggCanadian ArmyRoyal Canadian Regiment, The Black Watch of CanadaBrigadierWorld War I, World War II
Hugues LapointeCanadian ArmyRégiment de la ChaudièreLieutenant colonelWorld War II
Gordon ChurchillCanadian Army1st Canadian Armoured Carrier RegimentLieutenant colonelWorld War I, World War II
Marcel LambertCanadian ArmyKing's Own Calgary RegimentLieutenant colonelWorld War II
Roger TeilletRoyal Canadian Air ForceNo. 35 Squadron RAFFlight lieutenantWorld War II
Daniel J. MacDonaldCanadian Army -The Prince Edward Island Highlanders, Cape Breton HighlandersLieutenant colonelWorld War II
Allan McKinnonCanadian ArmyPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryMajorWorld War II
Gilles LamontagneRoyal Canadian Air Force425 Bomber SquadronFlight lieutenantWorld War II
George HeesCanadian Army5th Canadian Infantry BrigadeBrigade majorWorld War II
Gerald MerrithewCanadian ArmyRoyal New Brunswick RegimentLieutenant colonelMilitia pre-1970s
Fred MifflinRoyal Canadian Navy,, deputy commander – Maritime CommandRear admiralCold War 1954–1987
Erin O'TooleRoyal Canadian Air Force423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, 406 Maritime Operational Training SquadronCaptain1991-2000s
Harjit Sajjan Canadian ArmyThe British Columbia Regiment Lieutenant-colonel1989–2015