RCMP Veterans' Association - Nova Scotia » Support & Advocacy

 

RCMP Support & Advocacy Committee

Championing Advocacy and Assistance

RCMP Veterans’ Association, Nova Scotia Division – SUPPORT & ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
“Veterans helping Veterans & Their Families.”

The RCMP Veterans’ Association assists all categories of employees of the RCMP, whether serving or retired, and their families. This role is holistic in nature and functions on three pillars: advocacy, support, and fellowship. The Association seeks to ensure that all receive the support and benefits they require during discharge and throughout their post-service years.

Military parade in Quebec. Remembrance Day ceremony in Quebec city. Canada
RCMP officers in red serge uniforms march in a parade carrying the Nova Scotia, Canadian, and Red Ensign flags, followed by an RCMP pipes and drums band.

Committee Formation

The Support and Advocacy Committee was formed in 2011 to provide assistance to the retired and former employees of the RCMP and their families in various quality of life issues and in seeking wellness in retirement. The concern for the welfare of others extends to those who are current Regular and Civilian Members of the Force, including auxiliary constables, special constables, and public servants.

Focus Areas

Assistance provided by the Committee and Consultants focuses heavily on the processes for the Veterans’ Affairs Canada (VAC) disability benefits and allowances. Through the efforts of the Support and Advocacy Committee, hundreds of former and serving eligible candidates have benefited from the knowledge and expertise of the Committee members.

Bereavement support is another important pillar of the Committee’s work and often means interactions with families and spouses who have little knowledge of residual pension payments following the death of the pensioner.

Education of former, retired members and their families assures better preparation for retirement and post-death requirements. This is not only true for serving employees but also for serving members. The Committee has developed and shared an extensive document series – the Survivor and Executor Guide and two checklists (one for the member and one for the immediate survivor).

A mounted bison head is flanked by red and white flags

Types of Assistance Provided

Types of Assistance Provided by the Association Support & Advocacy Committee and Region Consultants:

  • Initial VAC Application preparation, including the VAC Quality of Life form preparation
  • Process for obtaining the medical/service/personal files from the RCMP
  • Referrals to Medical Professionals, such as Audiologists and Psychologists
  • Applications for various VAC Allowances – Attendance, Clothing, Exceptional Incapacity
  • VAC Reassessments and Appeals
  • VAC Travel claims, hospital benefits, and equipment rental
  • Research on medical conditions that may qualify for the VAC disability Pension
  • Benefit Trust Fund: In the past, the trust fund has assisted several spouses of former members within the NS Association with support
  • Bereavement Assistance – often service is delivered to non-member spouses/families to enable the speedy transition of pensions to the survivor
  • Canada Revenue Agency Disability Tax Credit applications and Income Tax Medical Deductions
  • Development and continuous review and update of the Survivor & Executor Packages for members and spouses
  • Development of Post Death Protocol documents
  • Partnership with the RCMP Support Operational Stress Injury Program (SOSI)

Resources & Documents

Pre/Post Death Assistance
S & A - 2025 Year-End Report
Pension & Benefits Reference

Workshops & Community Programs

Additionally, since 2012, there have been Benefits & Information Workshops presented to the RCMPVA membership, spouses and non-members, serving members and First Responders throughout Nova Scotia. At these twice-yearly Workshops, experts and resource persons have delivered information related to VAC Disability Pensions and Appeals, medical and psychological conditions, various support available for members/families, information on “Ageing in Place”, nursing home services (from the Provincial Government), and legal information such as wills, power of attorney, and personal directives.

Group of senior people sitting in circle and talking to caregiver in nursing home during therapy

Equipment & Mobility Aid Support

The Support and Advocacy Committee also maintains an inventory of mobility aids available free of charge to all Association members and non-members, and families.