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Veterans Affairs

During question period on veterans affairs, the NDP raised the government’s decision to end the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires’ preferential contracting, saying it puts jobs at risk for veterans who rely on the organization for stable post-service work and could shift contracts to for-profit firms; the member asked the minister to explain why the change was made without consulting the organization and to reverse it. The Liberal minister replied that the policy, a first right of refusal dating to 1945, no longer fits today’s veterans, noting the average releasing veteran is now 34 with skills employers want, and said guard work remains an option while the government will work to give veterans other job choices.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Gord Johns

NDP
“The government is ending special contracts for an organization that hires veterans. This puts their jobs at risk. I want the minister to explain why she did this without talking to them, and I want her to reverse the decision.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government’s decision to end the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires’ preferential contracting threatens jobs for veterans who rely on it for stable work after service, while potentially shifting contracts to for-profit firms. For decades, Commissionaires has supported their transition from serving our nation in the Canadian Armed Forces or the RCMP with dignity. Why is the Minister of Veterans Affairs moving ahead without any consultation with the commissionaires, and will she instead reverse these arbitrary procurement changes before veterans pay the price?

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Jill McKnight

Liberal

Linked statement

“Our policy for veterans needs to change. Today, the average veteran leaving the military is 34 and has skills that employers want. Guard work is still an option for them, but I will make sure they have other job choices too.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, government policies must evolve as the goals they speak to change. In 1945, the first right of refusal was designed to respond to the needs of soldiers returning from war. Today, this policy no longer meets the needs of veterans. Today, the average age of a releasing veteran is 34. They have a range of transferable hard and soft skills. These skills are in demand in the Canadian economy. Guard services will continue to be one option for veterans, and I will continue to advance all options for veterans.

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