The Women Veterans Research and Engagement Network (WREN)
There are gaps in the government programs available when it comes to the unique needs of women in the military and women veterans.
Learn moreVeteran well-being
Veterans and their families should be able to count on timely access to disability benefits, trauma-informed care and personalized support.
Honour Canada’s veterans with real support.
Why this matters
Canada’s veterans, including members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), deserve more than gratitude. Veterans and their families need timely access to equitable benefits, high-quality care, and systems that recognize the lifelong impact of their service.
But many face long wait times, inconsistent support, and tough transitions to civilian life, especially those living with trauma or illness. Women veterans are also being underserved by systems that weren’t built with them in mind.
Federal Retirees co-chairs the Women Veterans Research and Engagement Network (WREN), helping shape gender-informed, evidence-based policy in defence and security.
When veterans fall through the cracks, their physical, mental, and financial well-being is at risk. That’s why we advocate for change — care that’s responsive, inclusive, and built to meet real needs.
What we’re calling for
No two veterans have the same experience in the CAF or RCMP — their care and support shouldn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. While some progress has been made, much more is needed to ensure economic security and a better quality of life for all veterans.
We’re calling on the federal government to:
- Eliminate backlogs and improve processing times for Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefit claims. This includes more transparency, regular progress updates and meaningful engagement with veterans.
- Provide consistent, trauma-informed care and case management, across all provinces and territories, that reflects the unique needs of each veteran.
- Launch a national conversation with veterans and their families to better understand their diverse experiences and improve outcomes.
- Fully implement the recommendations from Invisible No More: The Experiences of Canadian Women Veterans, with dedicated funding, clear accountability and collaboration with women with lived experience, to achieve equitable outcomes for all.