Ottawa Veterans Task Force

05/11/2026

The inaugural Veterans Smoker, a gathering of Veterans, loved ones, and supporters at Bells Corners Legion (Branch 593), was a success from the moment the doors opened. If you enjoy laughter, camaraderie, storytelling, humour, live music, and a full glass of cheer, this was the place to be on Saturday, 9 May.

On the stage were a succession of talented musicians—The Mavericks Band, Arc of Fire Band, and an RCMP piper—all of them Veterans. On the menu were marinated steaks, baked potatoes, Caesar salad, and cheesecake. In the kitchen, behind the bar, and around the room were dedicated volunteers keeping food, drink and 50/50 tickets flowing.

There were a diverse range of Veterans and their spouses/partners/BFFs uniting at the same venue, including those from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), RCMP, municipal and provincial police services, Communications Security Establishment, and civilian police (CIVPOL), as well as others who served on international peacekeeping and operational deployments.

This is what community looks like: a welcoming environment, good conversations, and great people. Throw in the promise of warmer spring weather and a strong hint there may be a second annual Veterans Smoker next year, and the grins kept on grinning.

Converging at the event: Ralph Mahar, co-organizer of the event / RCMP Veterans' Association; Stéphane Guy, Ottawa Veterans Task Force / The Royal Canadian Legion - National Headquarters; Jake McDavid, event host and President, Bells Corners Legion - Branch 593; Andrée Paige, Co-Chair, Ottawa Veterans Task Force; David Hill - Councillor - Ward 3 Barrhaven West, Ottawa Veterans Task Force and City of Ottawa Veteran Champion.

05/07/2026

04/28/2026

Our veterans stood for us-now it’s our turn to stand for them.
Starting May 1st, we’re collecting essential items to support veterans who are homeless or struggling.
Every donation makes a real difference. Please consider giving if you can.

04/17/2026

The Ottawa Veterans Task Force (OVTF) convened a Primary Healthcare Roundtable this week to focus on one critical issue: reliable access to primary care for Veterans in our community.

We brought together a cross-section of healthcare clinicians, system leaders, advocates, and Veterans with lived experience to identify where the system breaks down—and more importantly, where we can move forward together.

As Ottawa Veterans Task Force Co-Chair / Councillor Matt Luloff noted: “We didn’t bring this group together to restate the problem. We brought you here because you see the system every day, and you know where it breaks.”

And as Mayor Mark Sutcliffe reminded us: “We’re not, through any of this, trying to create new systems or duplicate the responsibilities of other levels of government … This is about connecting people to what already exists, identifying the gaps, and making sure those are being filled.”

That is exactly what this roundtable was designed to do. Four tables and two focused sessions were structured to first identify where friction exists in the current system, and then to converge on practical, locally actionable ways to improve access and coordination. Insights and areas of focus were reviewed and there will be follow-up in the coming months.

Ottawa Veterans Task Force Co-Chair Andrée Paige added, "We are grateful to every participant who contributed their time, expertise, and honesty to the discussion. The level of engagement in the room—and the willingness to work through complexity together—has been exceptional."

A sincere thank you as well to our sponsors, The Ottawa Education Group - OEG and Ottawa Print Services / SINIX Media Group, for supporting this initiative and helping us bring people together in a meaningful and well-executed way. OEG led the facilitation and contributed generously to the catered refreshments while SINIX provided the map, digital displays, and printing.

The work continues and we look forward to collaborating on removing barriers and bridging gaps for Veterans and their families in Ottawa.

04/16/2026

04/16/2026

This afternoon, I had the opportunity to co-chair a working session of the Ottawa Veterans Task Force focused on something foundational: access to primary healthcare for Veterans and their families.

We brought together healthcare providers, researchers, and community leaders from across Ottawa, not to restate a problem we all already understand, but to dig into where the system breaks down in real life and how we can make it work better.

As a Veteran, I know firsthand that even when services exist, navigating them isn’t always straightforward. For me, things really started to improve when I was connected to the right care. Working with a Veteran-focused psychologist, Celine Paris, and a Veteran-focused family physician, Dr. Hans Jung, made a real and lasting difference. That kind of informed, connected care changes outcomes.

That experience is not unique. It’s something we hear again and again from Veterans and their families across our community.

Today was about bringing the right people into the room to map those gaps, share perspectives across sectors, and identify practical improvements we can actually track and deliver over the next year.

The Ottawa Veterans Task Force is the first of its kind at the municipal level in Canada. We’re not here to create new programs, we’re here to connect what already exists, remove barriers, and make the system function better at the local level.

Thank you to everyone who took part today and for the work you do every day in support of those who have served.

—————————

Cet après-midi, j’ai eu l’occasion de coprésider une séance de travail du Groupe de travail d’Ottawa sur les vétérans, portant sur un enjeu fondamental : l’accès aux soins de santé primaires pour les vétérans et leurs familles.

Nous avons réuni des professionnels de la santé, des chercheurs et des leaders communautaires de partout à Ottawa, non pas pour répéter un problème que nous connaissons déjà, mais pour mieux comprendre où le système se complique dans la réalité et comment nous pouvons l’améliorer concrètement.

En tant que vétéran, je sais que même lorsque les services existent, il n’est pas toujours facile de s’y retrouver. Pour moi, les choses ont vraiment commencé à s’améliorer lorsque j’ai été orienté vers les bons soins. Travailler avec une psychologue spécialisée auprès des vétérans, Celine Paris, ainsi qu’avec un médecin de famille spécialisé auprès des vétérans, le Dr Hans Jung, a fait une réelle différence. Ce type de soins adaptés et bien coordonnés change les résultats.

Cette réalité n’est pas unique. C’est quelque chose que nous entendons régulièrement de la part des vétérans et de leurs familles dans notre communauté.

Aujourd’hui, il s’agissait de rassembler les bonnes personnes pour cerner les obstacles, partager les perspectives et identifier des améliorations concrètes que nous pourrons suivre et réaliser au cours de la prochaine année.

Le Groupe de travail d’Ottawa sur les vétérans est le premier du genre à l’échelle municipale au Canada. Nous ne sommes pas là pour créer de nouveaux programmes, mais pour mieux connecter ceux qui existent déjà, éliminer les obstacles et améliorer le fonctionnement du système au niveau local.

Merci à toutes les personnes présentes aujourd’hui, et merci pour tout ce que vous faites chaque jour pour soutenir ceux et celles qui ont servi.

04/15/2026

Paddles Up! | À vos avirons!

Les inscriptions sont ouvertes pour former la nouvelle équipe de pagayeuses du Pepper Pod en vue des courses de bateaux-dragons de 2026. Quelques nouveautés cette année!

Nous souhaitons offrir des chances égales de participation à toutes, et c’est pourquoi nous effectuerons un tirage au sort pour former notre équipe.

💚 26 pagayeuses, qui feront une rotation lors des entraînements et des courses
💚 Aucune remplaçante, pour donner à chacune son tour à bord du bateau
💚 Une invitation aux nouvelles pagayeuses à se joindre à nous!

Nous recrutons également une équipe de soutien pour les séances d’entraînement et l’installation de la tente, ainsi que pour applaudir à tout rompre lors de la fin de semaine des courses.

17 avril = Date limite d’inscription
19 avril = Formation de l’équipe et rencontre de lancement au Pepper Pod

Renseignez-vous et inscrivez-vous sur notre site Web: https://pepperpod.ca/fr/calendrier-dactivites/courses-de-bateaux-dragons/

🐲 🐲 🐲 🛶 🛶 🛶 🐉🐉 🐉

Paddles Up!

Registration is now open for the 2026 Pepper Pod Dragon Boat Team, and we're mixing it up this year!

To give everyone an opportunity for participation, we’re drawing the crew names from a hat!

💚 26 paddlers - We’ll rotate practices and races.
💚 No spares - Everyone gets a turn in the boat.
💚 New paddlers - You’re very welcome!

We’re also seeking a few non-paddlers to support the team during practices, tent setup, and race-weekend cheerleading.

17 April = Last day to register
19 April = Team Selection and Kick-off Meeting at the Pepper Pod

Learn more and sign up on our website: https://pepperpod.ca/event-calendar/dragon-boat-team/

04/12/2026

National Volunteer Week is almost here! Every year, we aim to highlight and shout-out our exceptional Legion volunteers. All of our volunteers believe in supporting Veterans, their families, and strengthening their communities.

Know a Legion volunteer who’s been making a difference? Send in their story and a photo to [email protected] and we’ll share their story with our Legion community!

--

La Semaine nationale du bénévolat approche! Chaque année, nous tenons à souligner et à remercier nos bénévoles exceptionnels de la Légion. Tous nos bénévoles croient en l’importance de soutenir les vétérans et leurs familles, et de renforcer leurs communautés.

Vous connaissez un bénévole de la Légion qui fait une différence? Envoyez-nous son histoire et une photo à [email protected] et nous la partagerons avec la communauté de la Légion!

03/20/2026

02/08/2026

What a night! And what a community!

Congratulations to Jay Sanko, Natalie Sanko and the entire organizing team behind the 6th Annual National Flag of Canada Day Dinner held at Ottawa City Hall on Saturday night. The volunteers were so welcoming and genuinely helpful, keeping things flowing beautifully.

From start to finish, this event was a powerful reminder of what happens when gratitude, care, and community come together with intention.

From the beautifully decorated hall—proudly Canadian in reds and whites from floor to ceiling—to the warmth of the program and the genuine sense of connection in the room, not a detail was missed.

The atmosphere was authentic, welcoming, and deeply respectful of the men and women who serve and have served. We were delighted to be joined by Mark Sutcliffe, many distinguished guests, the beautiful voices of the Ottawa Uplands Military Wives Choir, and a sword drill march by the Cadets.

Members of the Ottawa Veterans Task Force were honoured to support the event: Co-Chairs Matt Luloff and Andrée Paige, Councillor David Hill - Councillor - Ward 3 Barrhaven West, Councillor Steve Desroches, Co-Founder André Thivierge, Klaus Kollenberg, Monique Goffinet, MA, John Blakeley, Mark MacDonald, Stéphane Guy, and Alan Mulawyshyn.

A special moment of the evening was the presentation of the Canadian flag to our member Stéphane Guy, who has been so deeply involved in organizing and sustaining this event over the years. Alaina Mundy, double gold medallist of the 2023 Invictus Games, was the second recipient honoured. Both shared some inspiring insights about their experiences as Veterans and the importance of family and community.

All attendees enjoyed an exceptional meal catered by Rumi Restaurant - Afghan BBQ (5160 Innes Rd, Orleans). Two beautiful cakes, prizes, and more than $15,000 raised for Veterans' House Canada took the evening to a whole new level. In addition, 100% of the tickets were paid for through sponsorships.

Events like this matter. They strengthen connection, honour service, and remind us that supporting Veterans starts at the community level. It's about being human and strengthening relationships. It's about rallying to support each other and build connection. And it's about remembering the sacrifices that Veterans and their families have made so we can enjoy another day and another tomorrow as Canadians.

Well done to everyone who made this evening possible. It was memorable and we look forward to supporting it again next year. To Jay and Natalie, all we can say is ... WOW! You outdid yourselves. It was so well coordinated and authentic in every respect. Thank you.

12/25/2025

Gratitude for soldiers, aviators, sailors, Veterans, their families, and the citizens who give back. Let's continue to take care of each other.