Thu, 6 Nov 2014 08:35:24 -0800
Moving Forward
Good afternoon,
Clearly, the world moves quickly! After last week’s announcement, I am very pleased to write to you today in my new role as the Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs. I am sincerely looking forward to meeting with you and strengthening the relationships that are so important to enhancing the support of our men and women who served and made sacrifices for our nation and for their families.
It will take me a few weeks to become refreshed with the current Veterans policies and initiatives. I thought that I was well versed in the detail when I served as your Chief of Defence Staff, but will need to update my understanding from the great folks here at Veterans Affairs. Equally, I look forward to hearing from you, and of the experience of all those extraordinary Canadians your Associations represent.
I expect for many of you, the recent Government of Canada’s Response to the Report of the House Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, The New Veterans Charter: Moving Forward is the priority focus. I share your interest. I look forward to guiding the implementation of those initiatives that the Government of Canada is currently advancing to improve Veterans’ benefits and services. In the near term, I wish to engage with you and others on some of the key proposals.
With the recent tragic events in St Jean and Ottawa and our airmen and women engaged in Iraq, it is yet another critical time in our Nation’s history. On this Remembrance Day we will recognize and thank those who have served, who stood their ground, who seized the ridge and who made Canada great.
In closing, I want to take the opportunity to convey my sincere thanks for your continuing service and contribution on behalf of Canada’s Veterans and their families. I look forward to meeting you and working with you.
Sincerely,
W.J. Natynczyk
General (Ret'd)
Deputy Minister Veterans Affairs Canada