Individual

David Munro, currently serving as Zone Commander, South/Mid Vancouver Island, for the Royal Canadian Legion, has devoted more than 20 years to serving Veterans, including as President of the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association. He actively participated in the development of the New Veterans Charter, and played a significant role in the crafting of the Seventh Book of Remembrance. With remarkable leadership, David was instrumental in the development of low income, quality housing for Veterans and seniors in his community, and in initiating the Cockrell House project for homeless Veterans, in Colwood. David resides in Chemainus, British Columbia.

Dennis Manuge has demonstrated outstanding courage by standing up for Veterans as the main claimant of a class action lawsuit against the Crown for the so-called SISIP claw-back as well as being an advocate and leader in Veterans community. If his claim is successful, it will significantly enhance the financial security and lives of many Veterans.

As the critic for his party on Veterans’ issues, Peter Stoffer has amassed detailed knowledge of the challenges facing Veterans. Thanks to his tireless advocacy, he has helped bring Veterans’ issues to the forefront and centre of Canadian discourse, championing their cause while holding Ottawa accountable for its responsibility to Veterans.

Encouraged by many Veterans, John Labelle formed a committee aimed at terminating all reduction formulas that are being applied to military and RCMP pension plans after seeking and receiving support for a private member’s bill from Peter Stoffer, MP Sackville-Eastern Shore.

After a distinguished career in the Canadian Forces, Mr. Leduc became extremely active in Veterans’ issues. He has regularly provided advice to the Department on how to meet the emerging needs of CF Veterans and families and has become one of the foremost experts in the history, laws, orders and authorities associated with Veterans’ programs.

Honour House President, Allan De Genova, was inspired by the story of a Canadian Soldier, Captain Trevor Greene, who was very seriously injured as he served with the Canadian Military in Afghanistan in 2006. Captain Trevor Greene’s family struggled to find a way to be by his side as he recovered overseas and also when he arrived back in Canada. Allan recognized a need to provide more support for those who serve and the vision of a “home away from home” for military and emergency services families was born. Allan was handed a challenge coin by the then-Canadian Chief of Defence, General Rick Hillier which inspired him to power forward relentlessly with his vision until Honour House was opened in New Westminster in November 2010. Set on a quiet tree-lined street, Honour House is a beautiful, fully-accessible 10 bedroom and ensuite home with a large shared kitchen that provides a temporary home for Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, Emergency Services Personnel and their families while they travel to receive medical care and treatment in the Metro Vancouver area. Just over four years later, Honour House has provided thousands of nights of free accommodation for our men and women in uniform and their families as they’ve gone through some of the toughest times in their lives.

In his position as manager of Caisse Desjardins des militaires, Patrice Bergeron has spent almost three decades transforming the caisse into a province-wide banking asset for the military community. During that time, Patrice has accompanied many individuals through their financial life with great dedication. No efforts were ever spared in helping Veterans achieve financial success.

He is also an active board member of the Valcartier Family Centre Foundation, providing it with financial advice and executing numerous fundraising initiatives.

In 2015, Patrice stepped into the lead role on the “Tous pour un Kili” expedition. The journey took twelve Veterans, all of whom were suffering from PTSD, on an unforgettable climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Patrice offered organizational and financial support while acting as a coach for the Veterans. The experience was a huge success, and it brought hope to many Veterans across Canada. Without Patrice’s commitment, the expedition would not have been possible.

Patrice’s personal involvement with military-centered initiatives has touched the lives of many, and has positively impacted Canada’s Veteran community.

As a Veteran who served 25 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Richard Nicholson’s life has been shaped by his military experience.

In recent years, Richard has used that experience to step into the hands-on, 24/7, volunteer position of Resident Manager of Cockrell House, a transitional home in Colwood, British Columbia for Veterans that have found themselves homeless or under-housed.

Richard plays an integral role in helping resident Veterans, working tirelessly to ensure their safety and security while offering mentorship and support. In his time as Resident Manager, he has assisted over 20 Veterans integrate into civilian society.

Perhaps the strongest testament of his impact is in the words written by resident Veterans. Describing him as a guiding force, many say that Richard’s influence truly helped to save their lives at a vulnerable time.

Retired Leading Seaman Marie-Claude Gagnon is recognized for her important work helping Veterans impacted by military sexual trauma (MST). Marie-Claude who served for seven years in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, founded and leads a safe and non-judgmental website and social network that connects people suffering from MST.

It’s Just 700 (IJ700) provides confidential, peer support and shares information about relevant tools, events, research opportunities, programs and services. Marie-Claude started IJ700 after a senior military officer responded to a 2015 report on sexual misconduct in the Canadian military by stating “It’s just 700 interviews [complaints].” This phrase galvanized Marie-Claude into action, because in her mind, 700 individuals experiencing military sexual trauma was 700 too many.

Marie-Claude and her work with IJ700 can be credited for creating public awareness about the issue and activating positive systemic change in the Canadian military. As a direct result of her leadership, the academic research community has recognized the importance of studying the impacts of military sexual trauma. She also works with Veterans Affairs Canada and other groups to promote fairer access to health care, benefits and services for military sexual trauma survivors.

In 2016, Jacqueline Zweng—known by many as JZ—was asked to participate in the annual British Columbia Wounded Warriors Vancouver Island Run, which she thought was a 10K run. At the time, she was being treated for cancer, yet agreed to lace up her sneakers for this awareness and fundraising event. The event comprised a 10K run each day for eight days, and she completed it.

Following this event, Jacqueline embraced the Wounded Warriors organization and its provision of programs to mentally ill and injured military Veterans, members and first responders. So heartily did she contribute, that she was asked to coordinate the following year’s Vancouver Island Run. She did so, connecting with Canadians along the way and tripling the funds raised for Wounded Warrior programming.