432-00279 (Veterans' affairs)

The Veterans Well-being Act (formerly the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act) came into force on April 1, 2006 and with it, a new suite of benefits and services to support the transition from military to civilian life for Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and their families. Prior to this, the support that Veterans Affairs Canada could provide was limited to the provision of compensation for disability and death under the Pension Act and to pension-related health care.

The Pension Act was introduced in 1919 after the First World War. While this legislation provided for monetary compensation, it did not focus on wellness or provide for benefits and services that would facilitate reestablishment into civilian life. Research conducted in the 1990s and early 2000s demonstrated that a different approach was needed. Specifically, an approach focused on helping Veterans regain their lost functional capacity and resume their roles in their families, workplace and community. As a result of this research and strong advocacy work, the Government of Canada recognized the need for change to meet the evolving needs of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and their families and the Veterans Well-being Act was introduced. 

The Veterans Well-being Act is designed to address multiple aspects of Veteran well-being including health, income, sense of purpose, and community integration. Delivered within a strengths-based case management model, it provides for an approach consistent with modern disability management principles and practices. Programs and services offered under this comprehensive evidenced-based approach include not only disability compensation, but also income replacement benefits, rehabilitation, education and training benefits, career transition services, and supports for caregivers.  

The benefits under the Veterans Well-being Act are qualitatively different from those under the Pension Act, making direct comparisons between these two benefit schemes very challenging. Veterans Affairs Canada will continue to focus on monitoring and improving the overall health, well-being, and financial security of Veterans and their families through programs and services which meet their needs.

Pension for Life is a combination of benefits that provide recognition, income support and stability to Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans who experience a service-related illness or injury. As of April 1, 2019, over 80,000 Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members were efficiently transitioned to the new suite of benefits.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer’s report concluded that most Veterans will receive lifetime payments that are between 6% and 24% higher under Pension for Life than they would have received under the previous regime, despite the significant increases in financial supports made to the New Veterans Charter through Budget 2016.

As directed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs Canada is thoroughly reviewing the implementation of Pension for Life and may recommend changes, where needed, to improve the outcomes and experiences of Veterans and their families.