AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Veterans Affairs Canada Accessibility Progress Report 2023

VAC is proud to release this 2023 Accessibility Progress Report, which highlights achievements 
since the Plan was implemented. 
1 VAC’s Accessibility Action Plan includes the Bureau of Pensions Advocates, as well as the Office of the Veterans 
Ombud.
6 
This 2023 Accessibility Progress Report does not cover the entire 2023 calendar year, given the 
time that was required to have the Report approved and published. With that said, any 
progress made in 2023 that is not addressed in this Report will be covered in the 2024 Progress 
Report. The Department also notes that at the time this report was ready for publication, VAC’s 
analysis of the 2022 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) results was still underway. However, 
the Department expects that actions and measures developed in response to these results, as 
well as measures for the Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, will support future 
progress reporting and our journey to inclusion and accessibility confidence. 
As the Department moves forward on its journey to become barrier-free, we will embrace the 
opportunity to report back annually on progress, and to strengthen our performance 
measurement capacity. Through updated accessibility action plans and progress reports, the 
Department will hold itself accountable, and will also respond to the Clerk of the Privy Council’s 
Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada’s Accessibility Action Plan 2022-2025

Veterans Affairs Canada’s Accessibility Action Plan 2022-2025:
Table of contents
1.0 General
1.1 Introduction message
1.2 Process for receiving and dealing with accessibility-related feedback
1.3 Message from the Deputy Minister
1.4 Message from the Accessibility Network
1.5 Accessibility statement
2.0 Areas described under section 5 of the Act
2.1 Employment
2.2 The built environment
2.3 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
2.4 Communication (other than information and communication technologies)
2.5 The procurement of goods, services and facilities
2.6 The design and delivery of programs and services
2.7 Transportation
2.8 Organizational culture
3.0 Training
4.0 Consultations
4.1 Consultations with VAC’s Accessibility Network
4.2 Let’s Talk Veterans Accessibility Consultation
5.0 Budget and resource allocation
6.0 VAC’s recent actions taken to improve accessibility
7.0 Glossary
7.1 Definitions
Appendix A: VAC terminology
Appendix B: Other government departments and services


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Research Reports and Papers

The Research Directorate is responsible for the development and transfer of applied research and information in support of the health and well-being of Veterans, Canadian Forces members and their families, and members of the RCMP.

Please note that applied health research is generally only available in the language in which it was originally prepared. These reports have been made available to policy and decision makers to facilitate improved uptake and knowledge exchange, and to aid in the process of evidence-based decision making. All research summaries, where available, have been translated.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Canada Remembers Learning Resources for Educators

The peaceful society we enjoy has been created by the efforts and sacrifices of generations of Canadians who have put their lives on the line in the cause of peace and freedom around the world. Remembering all that they have done during times of war, military conflict and peace helps us to better understand our nation's history and its future.

These resources are provided to help ensure that the torch of Remembrance continues to burn brightly in the hearts of all Canadians.


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Privacy Impact Assessments

Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) are used to identify potential privacy issues of new or redesigned federal government programs or services. PIAs examine how government departments protect personal information through its lifecycle of collection, use, disclosure, storage, and disposition.

For more information, see the Privacy Impact Assessment Fact Sheet on the Web site of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Attitudes Towards Remembrance and Veterans' Week Survey of Canadians

The Attitudes Towards Remembrance and Veterans' Week survey is a means through which Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) can measure Canadians' level of participation in remembrance activities, their attitudes toward those who served in Canada's military and their level of support for VAC's work related to remembrance. The purpose of the quantitative research is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Department's overall remembrance programming. More specifically, the research was designed to: 

- Understand Canadians' attitudes towards an acceptance of commemorating Veterans and their sacrifices and achievements;

- Monitor behavioural changes resulting from Canadians receiving information relating to remembrance;

- Assess Canadians' awareness of and pride in Canadian military contributions and the sacrifices of Canadian Veterans;

- Identify Canadians' knowledge of Canada's military contributions;

- Provide VAC with concrete data to assist in performance measurement; and

- Assess Canadians' level of participation (active and passive) in remembrance. 

The research results help guide the Department in its planning and programming for the future. The information obtained allows VAC to continue determining the impact and effectiveness of its remembrance activities, adapt activities to be relevant to Canadians, improve the methods used to inform Canadians about remembrance initiatives, and improve future initiatives. 


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
2018–2019 Departmental Results Framework and Program Inventory

The Treasury Board Secretariat's Policy on Results sets out the requirements for Canadian federal departments’ performance information reporting.

This performance information reporting involves a Departmental Results Frameworks (DRF) and a Program Inventory (PI). A department’s DRF shows how a department measures its performance at a high level. A department’s PI shows all the programs within a department.  Performance is also measured at the program level.

Note: The Policy on Results replaced the Policy on Management, Resources and Results Structures (MRRS) as of July 1, 2016. VAC’s DRF was first presented in the 2018-2019 Departmental Plan. The former Program Alignment Architecture and Performance Measurement Framework developed under the MRRS policy can be found here.


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Wait Time Tool

The Wait Time Tool is the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) online tool that indicates the current average wait time for receiving a decision on program applications. This tool calculates the average wait time, in weeks, based on how long it took to process all complete applications in the past 90 days. The data is updated weekly. 

The resources below contain historical data. Current application wait times can be found on VAC’s website: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/resources/wait-time-tool.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
2024 to 2025 Departmental Results Report

Departmental Results Reports (DRRs) are individual department and agency accounts of actual accomplishments against plans, priorities and results set out in their respective Departmental Plans (DPs). DPs and DRRs make up Part III (the Departmental Expenditure Plans) of the Estimates publications.

Through DRRs, individual departments and agencies provide information on how they are progressing toward their strategic goals. DRRs cover the most recently completed fiscal year and are normally tabled in Parliament in the fall.

Organization: Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada | Service canadien d'appui aux tribunaux administratifs
Monthly Fraction of Vegetation Cover of Canada from Medium Resolution Satellite Imagery

FCOVER corresponds to the amount of the ground surface that is covered by vegetation, including the understory, when viewed vertically (from nadir).  FCOVER is an indicator of the spatial extent of vegetation independent of land cover class. It is a dimensionless quantity that varies from 0 to 1, and as an intrinsic property of the canopy, is not dependent on satellite observation conditions. This product consists of a national scale coverage (Canada) of monthly maps of FCOVER indicator during a growing season (May-June-July-August-September) at 20m resolution.  
  
  References:  
  
  L. Brown, R. Fernandes, N. Djamai, C. Meier, N. Gobron, H. Morris, C. Canisius, G. Bai, C. Lerebourg, C. Lanconelli, M. Clerici, J. Dash. Validation of baseline and modified Sentinel-2 Level 2 Prototype Processor leaf area index retrievals over the United States IISPRS J. Photogramm. Remote Sens., 175 (2021), pp. 71-87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2021.02.020. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924271621000617  
  
  Richard Fernandes, Luke Brown, Francis Canisius, Jadu Dash, Liming He, Gang Hong, Lucy Huang, Nhu Quynh Le, Camryn MacDougall, Courtney Meier, Patrick Osei Darko, Hemit Shah, Lynsay Spafford, Lixin Sun, 2023.  
  
  Validation of Simplified Level 2 Prototype Processor Sentinel-2 fraction of canopy cover, fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and leaf area index products over North American forests,  
  
  Remote Sensing of Environment, Volume 293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2023.113600.  
  
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425723001517

Organization: Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada
TOPIC Sudbury - Leaf traits

Foliar traits measured in one study were used to develop an applied model to help restoration practitioners select an ideal mix of species to plant to achieve their restoration goals. We used trait-function relationships to characterize the effects of species on ecosystem functions. The dataset was used to demonstrate the practicality of this approach, deriving optimal species mixtures for restoring forests damaged by Cu-Ni smelters in the city of Greater Sudbury (Ontario, Canada).  

Traits include leaf area index, simple leaf area, leaf carbon content, leaf dry mass, leaf dry matter content, leaf mass, leaf nitrogen content, leaf phosphorus content, specific leaf area, total leaf area, canopy area.

Please cite as : Santala K., Cardou F., Yemshanov D., Campioni F., Simpson M., Handa I.T., Ryser P., and Aubin I. 2022. Finding the perfect mix: An applied model that integrates multiple ecosystem functions when designing restoration programs. Ecological Engineering 180, 106646.[https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106646](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106646) 

Organization: Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada
TOPIC CoVitas - Aboveground and belowground plant traits

Co-Vitas project traits data. The Co-VITAS project is investigating understory species (6 ubiquitous boreal species) response and adaptive capacity to environmental change, by measuring a set of leaf and root traits throughout the species range. We enlisted and coordinated the efforts of 23 research teams across Canada for field sampling of 79 sites in July 2014 (from Newfoundland to Yukon).

Traits include root calcium content, root potassium content, root magnesium content, root nitrogen content, root phosphorus content, leaf calcium content, leaf potassium content, leaf magnesium content, leaf nitrogen content, leaf phosphorus content, specific leaf area, specific root length.

Please cite as: Kumordzi, B. B., Aubin, I., Cardou, F., Shipley, B., Violle, C., Johnstone, J., Anand, M., Arsenault, A., Bell, F. W., Bergeron, Y., Boulangeat, I., Brousseau, M., De Grandpré, L., Delagrange, S., Fenton, N. J., Gravel, D., Macdonald, S. E., Hamel, B., Higelin, M., Higelin, M., Hébert, F.,  Isabel, N., Mallik, A., McIntosh,  A. C. S., McLaren, J. R., Messier, C., Morris, D., Thiffault, N., Tremblay, J.-P., Munson, A.D. (2019). Geographic scale and disturbance influence intraspecific trait variability in leaves and roots of North American understorey plants. Functional Ecology, 33, 1771–1784.[https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13402](https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13402)


Organization: Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada
TOPIC Alberta - Traits of understory vegetation in Alberta - Specific Leaf Area

Specific leaf area used in an investigation of the functional and structural recovery of seismic lines in upland boreal forests in northwestern Alberta and explore the use of forest management as a way to accelerate their recovery. 

Please site as: Santala, K., Schoonmaker, A., Aubin, I. 2020. Datafiles: Traits of understory vegetation in Alberta- Specific Leaf Area. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service. Unpublished data

Organization: Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Audit of the Veterans Independence Program Annual Follow-up - October 2015

The purpose of the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) is to assist recipients in maintaining their independence through the provision of home and community care. As per the VIP Terms and Conditions, Veterans and other recipients in receipt of funding for VIP services must be contacted at least once annually to confirm the benefits are meeting the recipient’s needs. In January 2013, Canada Post, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and a third-party contractor became part of the Annual Follow-up and Survivor Renewal process. 

The objective of the audit was to assess the management control framework, the compliance with applicable policies and processes, and determine performance against the Annual Follow Up and Survivor Renewal service standard. The scope of this audit included all VIP Veterans and survivors due for follow-up or renewal between May 1, 2014 and September 30, 2014. 

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Employment Equity Representation for Veterans Affairs Canada

Representation by Employment Equity occupational groups for visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities and women and by fiscal year at Veterans Affairs Canada. The total number of employees in each group represents only those who have self-identified in accordance with the Employment Equity Act and who are not on leave without pay. The base Employment Equity population used to calculate representation excludes employees on leave without pay.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Evaluation of the Financial Benefits Program - September 2016

The evaluation of the Financial Benefits Program was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2014-19. The program was last evaluated as part of an overall New Veterans Charter Evaluation in 2010-11. 

The Financial Benefits Program was established in 2006 under the authority of the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, with subsequent amendments expanding eligibility and adding programs. It provides economic support to eligible Canadian Armed Forces Veterans, survivors, and dependents in recognition of the economic impact that a career ending and/or service-related injury or death can have on a Veteran’s ability to earn income, advance in a career or save for retirement.

As per Treasury Board Secretariat policy requirements and guidance, this evaluation examined the Financial Benefits Program’s relevance and performance. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Employee Compensation Audit - May 2010

The Employee Compensation Audit was part of the 2009/2010 Veterans Affairs Canada Audit Plan approved by the Deputy Minister (DM).

As part of the design process, a preliminary survey was conducted to determine the areas of pay that have the highest level of risk for the department. As a result, Regular pay, Overtime Pay and Acting Pay were included in the audit.


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Rehabilitation Services Evaluation - September 2014

This Rehabilitation Services Evaluation was conducted in accordance with Veterans Affairs Canada's (VAC) approved Multi-year Risk Based Evaluation Plan 2013-2018.

Established in 2006, the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act (hereinafter referred to as the New Veterans Charter or NVC), shifts the Department's focus from one of disability to one of wellness and responds to Canada's commitment to injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans. As part of the NVC, the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program (hereinafter referred to as the Program) provides eligible Veteran recipients and their spouse/survivor(s) with one or more of the following types of rehabilitation services: medical, psychosocial, or vocational. In fiscal year 2012-13, the Program funded $18.4 million in benefits and services.

The intent of the Program is to support the reasonable restoration of functioning in the following five major areas: mental and physical functioning; social adjustment; family relationships; financial security, employment and personal productivity; and community participation. Recipients are primarily Veterans who were recently medically-released from the CAF, or CAF Veterans who have a health problem resulting primarily from service which is creating a barrier to their re-establishment in civilian life. Veterans often present with complex co-morbid conditions which require the use of the various available medical and psychosocial rehabilitation benefits and services.

The evaluation examined the relevance and performance of the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program and was conducted in accordance with Treasury Board (TB) requirements and TB Secretariat guidance material. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of evidence.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Audit of Vocational Rehabilitation - May 2013

Vocational Rehabilitation Services is a component of the Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Program. It provides vocational assistance services and benefits to eligible Veterans who have a health problem, and their families, to assist them in their re-establishment to civilian life. Vocational services and benefits include vocational assessments, employability skills, training, career exploration, job placement and follow-up support. 

The purpose of the audit was to provide assurance that financial controls were working as intended, to deliver results in accordance with related authorities. This is the first audit of Vocational Rehabilitation since its inception in 2006. 

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Audit of Program of Choice 12 - Related Health Services - September 2014

The Veterans Affairs Canada Health Care Benefits Program provides eligible Veterans and other qualified individuals with benefits and services, such as medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices and home adaptations, through 14 Programs of Choice. Under the Veterans Health Care Regulations and Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, eligible Veterans and other qualified individuals have access to benefits and services, such as medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices and home adaptations. Related Health Services are services provided by health care professionals other than physicians, dentists and nurses. Examples of these types of services include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, speech language pathology and psychological counseling. 

The objective of this audit was to assess Veterans Affairs Canada’s management control framework, and compliance with applicable policies and processes, and to identify any potential opportunities to improve efficiency of decision making for Related Health Services. The scope covered transactions processed from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Third Party Administered Accounts Audit - October 2010

The Third-Party Administered Accounts Audit was recommended for inclusion in the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Multi-Year Risk-Based Internal Audit Plan 2010-2013 by VAC’s Departmental Audit Committee (DAC) on March 18, 2010. The purpose of the audit was to examine the Department's responsibilities, both in making expectations clear to administrators and in monitoring their performance.

Third-party administration refers to the arrangements put in place when a client requires assistance in managing their personal or financial affairs. VAC will direct an award be payable to a third party only when considered absolutely necessary in the interests of the client. The Department investigates the particular circumstances related to that client before making a decision for administration.


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Evaluation of the Commemoration Division Partnerships Contribution Program - February 2013

This report presents the findings of the evaluation of the Partnerships Contribution Program (PCP), which covers the period between April 2008 and March 2011. This evaluation meets the Treasury Board Secretariat's requirement for evaluation coverage of all ongoing programs of grants and contributions. An evaluation of the PCP is also required as part of the renewal of the Terms and Conditions.

The PCP provides a means through which Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) can extend its reach in delivering its mandate regarding commemorative activities. The program provides non-repayable contributions to a range of potential recipients, such as non-profit organizations, museums, educational institutions, provinces, territories and municipalities. There are two funding opportunities available under the PCP:

  * the Community Engagement Partnership Fund (CEPF) provides eligible organizations and groups with financial assistance to deliver remembrance activities and events regionally and nationally; and

  * the Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program (CMRP) provides eligible organizations and groups with financial assistance to properly conserve cenotaphs and monuments honouring Canada's war dead and Veterans.


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Audit of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre - March 2013

In the fall 2012, some family members raised concerns related to: the quality of care provided, complaints being ignored, room changes without notice, and staffing levels. All areas of concern were investigated; however, family dissatisfaction persisted. The Department’s expectation is that all Veterans will be treated with respect by any and all who serve them and will receive quality care in provincial long term care facilities. The seriousness of the concerns prompted the Minister to announce that Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) would conduct an audit of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre (SBVC). The purpose of this audit was to ensure that VAC, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the SBVC were fulfilling their responsibilities as outlined in the terms of the agreements.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada