Our Office
Welcome to the new website of the Veterans Ombudsman. You will find information about who we are, how we work, and some of the issues we're working on. You'll also have a chance to express your views and opinions on various issues, or make a complaint.
The OVO website supports RSS feeds, to help you keep up-to-date with our latest news.
We would like to hear from you about our new website. If you have any questions or comments about our new website, email us.
Our Symbol
We are proud to introduce the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman's new symbol. Each element has been carefully chosen to reflect what we do and who we do it for—Canada's Veterans and their families.
The shield is significant because of its association with defending the bearer. This can be interpreted in two ways; Veterans have defended the interests and values of all Canadians, and the OVO now defends Veterans by ensuring that they are treated fairly.
The thirteen maple leaves that surround the shield are representative of each province and territory of Canada, signifying that the OVO works for Veterans throughout Canada. The background colour of the shield is also aligned with the colour scheme of the Canadian flag and the crown-shaped top represents the Crown - the Government of Canada.
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Town Halls
A Veterans Ombudsman Town Hall is an informal meeting where everyone in the Veterans Community is invited including; all Veterans, RCMP, military, families and interested parties.
A key objective of the Veterans Ombudsman Town Halls is to ensure that anyone who wishes to voice their opinions and concerns is able to. Participants can voice their opinions and concerns about the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, discuss emerging issues, and hear the responses from the Ombudsman and his staff.
There will be a brief opening from the Ombudsman highlighting what the Office is working on and then the remainder of the discussion will be opened to the group.
The Veterans Ombudsman wishes to conduct Town Halls throughout the country. It is realized that this is ambitious goal that can only be achieved by collaborating with local organizations. Read more »
Serve with Honour, Depart with Dignity
On September 23, 2009, Patrick B. Stogran, Canada's Veterans Ombudsman, released the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman's first report, 'Serve with Honour, Depart with Dignity'. This report is an administrative review of the program and is aimed at ensuring that all those who have given of themselves in the service of Canada, our veterans, depart this Earth with the dignity they deserve. The release of this report is significant as it is the 100th year anniversary of the Last Post Fund (which administers Veterans Affairs Canada's Funeral and Burial Assistance program).
The Funeral and Burial Assistance Program affects the most vulnerable veterans: the frail, elderly, and financially disadvantaged. Successive governments have been aware of the issues regarding funerals and burials for many years but have failed to act, thereby reducing to mere rhetoric repeated commitments to support veterans in their time of need.
This report is the first in a series of reports aimed at ensuring that Canada does everything possible to ensure the fair treatment of and respect for Veterans and their families.
Securing the Start Line
This report summarizes the developments over the past year and introduces you, our stakeholders, to how we have established ourselves to conduct operations. Thus far our history is essentially a good news story. I am convinced the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman satisfies an important niche that complements the efforts of the many advocates and advocacy groups who have been working so hard to ensure that anybody who has accepted the condition of unlimited liability in the service of Canada is treated the way they should be by a grateful nation. Read more »
