The Commander of Military Personnel Command, Lieutenant-General Charles Lamarre, hosted the first ‘Seamless Canada’ meeting at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto on June 27 with representatives from provinces and territories.

During the event, the Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan, spoke to media regarding the initiative, which is linked to Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE).

The overall intent of Seamless Canada is to better align programs and services for military members and their families that are subject to change within different jurisdictions across the country. These include education, health, employment credentials, and licensing for drivers and vehicles.

The purpose of the June 27 meeting was to increase the awareness of provinces and territories regarding issues specific to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families, building on steps already taken by various provincial ministries to enhance services for military families.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that the Ontario government would set up a new “hotline” for military families to help them navigate provincial government services when they are transferred to Ontario bases.

Alberta and New Brunswick have already announced pilot projects to help military families settle into their new communities.

Other provinces have also worked and will continue working with Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) to streamline services.

CAF senior leadership will meet again with the provinces and territories in the fall of 2018. Lieutenant-General Lamarre has placed the Seamless Canada initiative high on his list of priorities, dedicating personnel and resources to its success.

“Delivering on our commitment to our people and their families is critical,” he said. “I look forward to engaging with my counterparts in the provinces and territories on solutions that will enable military families to live as seamlessly as possible in Canada.”

For additional information on how military members will be supported under Canada’s defence policy initiatives from when they join, throughout their careers, and after they become Veterans, go to: Chapter One of Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE).