Morale and Welfare

Presentation to RCL Dominion Command Convention

Edmonton, Alberta – 18 June 2014

Commodore Mark B. WatsonDGMWS

Context

• With approximately 600,000 former members and their families in Canada, Veterans represent the largest group in our “One Community, One Million Strong”.

• We need your help! The Legion can help us reach out to Veterans and encourage them to benefit from the CFMWS programs and services available to them

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Context (cont’d)

• Significant number of new initiatives are underway, with a stronger partnership between VAC and the CAF

• DGMWS is a sitting member of the VAC-CAF Joint Steering Committee

• CFMWS has the lead for delivering many of the CAF elements that fall under the VAC-CAF Joint Priorities – particularly those focused on the transition period when releasing CAF members take on their new status as Veterans

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What Can We Do For You?

• Discounts and Rewards• Financial Services, Insurance and Banking• Messes and Recreation• Shopping and Retail Services• Casualty Support and Transition Services• Support Our Troops Funds• National Military Cemetery

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Discounts and Rewards

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CANEX Rewards Program•Easier to earn and redeem points •Points balance printed on receipt •Redeem points directly in-store

Discounts and Rewards (cont’d)CF Appreciation Program – www.cfappreciation.ca• Discounts and savings at thousands of industry partners

at locations locally, nationally and internationally: Accommodations, Attractions, Entertainment, Dining, Recreation, Services, Shops, Travel & Transportation, House & Home

• Access to R&R Club – linked to US Armed Forces Vacation Club, and Gov Rewards and International Cruise Excursions.

• 3,500 accommodations in 80 Countries starting at $369 USD per week, cruise lines, airlines, and 3,000 US Golf Courses at guaranteed low prices.

Home Heating Oil Rebate ProgramIf home heated by oil, save on regular delivered price of home heating oil. In Halifax, participants have saved up to 8

cents per litre for the last six years; average of $1,500 in savings.

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Silver Lake Resort, Kissimmee, Florida 7 nights/$369 USD

Vacations for Veterans Program• Launched in January 2012• Program is available to CAF members (former and currently

serving) who have sustained an injury or illness while serving in a Special Duty Area/Operation and who are in receipt of a VAC benefit as a result

• Eligible members may apply for 1-week of accommodation at one of Shell Vacations Club’s 26 properties in Canada, the US and Mexico

• More than 100 CAF members/families have benefited from this program

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Discounts and Rewards (cont’d)

VIA Rail 25% discount• 25% discount on the best available fare in all classes (excluding on Express

Deals) for one-way or round trip travel on board any VIA Rail train in Canada.• Family members travelling in the same class also receive a 25% discount.• Valid for eligible members and up to a maximum 5 additional travelers on the

same dates and in the same class.

Air Canada new checked baggage policy• Enhanced baggage allowance for CAF members and Veterans on flights

operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or Air Canada Express. • Entitled to up to 3 pieces of checked baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg

(70 lb) each.• Allowance applies to both personal and duty travel.

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Discounts and Rewards (cont’d)

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Financial Services, Insurance and Banking

The Personal Home & Auto Insurance Coverage that fits your way of life.

Portability: If you should move, be transferred or retire within Canada

SISIP Financial Services• Insurance for Released Members (IRM) – no health questions required if

applied within 60 days of release, no exclusions for war, dangerous occupations, hobbies, volunteer activities or sports

• Accidental Dismemberment Insurance Plan – covers injuries or illness attributable to military service

• Financial Planning – personalized recommendations, investment advice to assist clients in achieving their financial goals

• Canadian Forces Group Retirement Savings Plan – a “do-it-yourself”, on-line investment and savings option

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Financial Services, Insurance and Banking (cont’d)

Comparative costs:SISIP Financial Services Industry Standard

Financial Planning(No commission – fee for service based)

• $6 - $12/month (depending on rank)

• Unlimited hours of service• Includes one free income tax

return

• Approximately $100/hour 1 or 1% - 3% of assets under management2

• $59 for one basic income tax return3

Financial Counselling(Confidential)

Free • Approximately $1204 / session or enrollment

• Fee of 15% of total debt + monthly charge of $50 + cancellation fee5

Insurance($100,000 in coverage / 25 year old male / non-smoker)

$6/month • Varies $11 - $13 /month6

1 CBC News (April 2012) / MoneySense Magazine (October 2012)2 moneysense.ca – Where to find a fee-only Financial Planner3 H&R Block

4 Credit Canada5 debtfreesolutions.ca – Consumer Credit Counselling sample contract6 Compulife Software Inc.

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Financial Services, Insurance and Banking (cont’d)

Financial Services, Insurance and Banking (cont’d)

Canadian Defence Community Banking (CDCB)• Personal Banking: Saves the current 10,000 members approximately

$1 million in banking fees every year

• Customized mortgage plans: Highly competitive rates

• ABM/ATM: Over 900 branches and 2681 ATMs across Canada so that you can easily receive uninterrupted service as you move

• SOT MasterCard: Contributed over $155,000 to CFMWS since the inception of the Program

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Comparative costs:

CDCB Performance Plan Industry Standard$5.45/month Varies from $11.95 to $14.95$ /

month depending of the institution

2 free months None

Fee waived with $3000 minimum balance

Fee waived with $3000-$4000 minimum balance depending of the institution

Unlimited transactions Unlimited transactions

Earn Air Miles None

Financial Services, Insurance and Banking (cont’d)

The following is a comparison of similar banking programs available in Canada.

Visit: www.cdcb.ca

Support Our Troops Funds•Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund – Financial assistance in the form of low interest loans and/or grants:•Minor Disbursement Program•Education Assistance Loan Program•Self Improvement Loan Program•Financial Distress Program

•Military Families Fund − linked to conditions of service

•Soldier On Fund − contributes to a healthy, active lifestyle

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Financial Services, Insurance and Banking (cont’d)

Messes and RecreationBase/Wing Mess Programs• Connect with tradition, esprit de corps, and social

opportunities by joining the local mess• 175 Reg Forces Messes ; 280 Res Forces Messes

Base/Wing Recreation Programs and ServicesMore than 6,000 recreation activities for the whole family available in

military communities nationwide, over 100,000 participants

CAF Photography ContestAn annual contest celebrating the best professional and amateur

photographers in the Defence community

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Base/Wing Specialty Interest ActivitiesAccess to:

• Golf: 14 locations across Canada and 7 social clubs using civilian courses

• Marinas and Sailing: 8 locations

• Campgrounds & Cabins: 5 locations

• Rod and Gun Clubs: 7 locations across Canada

• Horseback Riding: 4 locations across Canada

• Curling: 7 locations across Canada

• Skeet Shooting: 5 locations across Canada

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Messes and Recreation (cont’d)

Operates 40 outlets on Bases/Wings across Canada, 167 local concessions offering additional goods/services.

No Interest Credit Plan: 12, 24 or 36 month plans (No money down, not even the taxes), 12 month payment plan: no hidden handling or administration fees (24 months: 2% ; 36 months: 3%)

National vendor partnershipsTim Hortons, Aramark (food services), OK Tire, Andrei Master Tailor, Subway

In partnership with CANEX:• Bellecour Jewellery, Canadian-made jewellery• Pinkerton Flowers, Order flowers online

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Shopping and Retail Services

VAC-CAF Joint PrioritiesPrimary Focus: Ease transition of ill and injured members and their

families from military to civilian life

Five joint priorities:1. Research - Support to present and future work2. Transition & Employment*3. Mental Health4. Harmonizing VAC/CAF Policy & Programs5. Family Support**indicates CFMWS area of focus

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Transition

• Supporting improvements to VAC’s Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) content provided to releasing Regular and Reserve Force personnel

• Supporting VAC efforts to conduct mandatory Transition Interviews for all injured or medically releasing personnel, Reg and Res Force, including improved efforts to identify those at highest risk

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Employment

Military Employment Transition (MET)• Development of Canada Company Military

Employment Transition (MET) Program web portal (one stop shop) - a national program that supports transitioning CAF members

• METP will improve the transition experience by: – Aligning skills, knowledge and experience of transitioning

CAF members with needs of employers – Connecting members and Veterans with employer

partners across Canada

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Employment (cont’d)

• An exclusive job-search platform

• Military-friendly Employer Partners and HR leaders who are certified in Military 101, and primed and invested in hiring registrants and veterans

• A Toolkit that includes transition training videos, aids and links

• Weekly live education & awareness webinars

• Education & Professional Association consortiums

Visit: www.canadacompany.ca21

Employment (cont’d)

Canadian Franchise Association:Military Veterans Program•Franchising for Canadian Military Veterans such as Tim Hortons.

•Over 39 participating franchises and growing.

•Recognizing the relationship between military skills sets and successful Franchisees

•Offering special incentives for franchise ownership as well as employment opportunities for Transitioning Canadian Military & Veterans.

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Employment (cont’d)

Prince’s Charities Canada: Operation Entrepreneur•Program offers the education, financing and mentoring needed to start and sustain successful business.•Candiates receive a week long, fully subsidized education on everything a person should know when starting up a business.

Forces @ Work•A hands on personal career service currently run in Edmonton•Offering placement and retention services, ongoing career and cultural transition support and much more.

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Family Support

• Potential extension of CAF Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) services to medically released CAF members and their families for up to two years after release

• This would promote:– smoother transition from CAF to civilian life– improved family coping skills and resiliency– greater independence and community

engagement post-release

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Conclusion

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• Significant number of initiatives underway

• Considerable joint effort is underway to reduce complexity (red tape) and assess programs and systems through eyes of CAF member/Veteran (e.g., METP Portal)

• Challenge remains in communicating programs to CAF serving members and Veterans

Focus of Joint EffortsFocus of Joint EffortsSupport to ill & injured members and their families

in their transition from military to civilian life.

Focus of Joint EffortsFocus of Joint EffortsSupport to ill & injured members and their families

in their transition from military to civilian life.

Questions?

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