Individual

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.

Thanks to the determination and steadfast commitment of Kyle Scott, more than 750 previously unmarked graves in Canadian cemeteries now have permanent military-style markers for those Veterans who lie in them. He leaves no stone unturned in researching graves, and submitting applications to the Last Post Fund so they will be marked properly. 

This is part of his personal commitment to ensuring that no Veteran will be forgotten and that they will be cared for long after they are gone. He meticulously cleans Veteran headstones in his local cemetery so the insignia and writing are legible. As well, he and his Royal Canadian Legion comrades mark each grave with a Canadian flag in commemoration of Canada Day. 

Kyle has helped 550 eligible and deserving Veterans get a replacement or an initial issue of service medals, and he has presented Quilts of Valour to ill or injured Canadian Armed Forces Veterans as a thank you from this grateful nation.

Terry Malchuk wears his heart on his sleeve. A heart that is passionate about supporting and advocating for mental health and quality of life for Veterans. He also supports others who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, including RCMP and first responders.

Five years ago, long after he left the military, Terry realized he needed help. He reached out for it and received it. With a PTSD diagnosis, he immediately began working on his own recovery while at the same time paying it forward to others in need.

Sean Bruyea has written for and moderated online forums, including VeteranVoice.info and VeteransCanada.ca. 

Also, he has advocated for Veterans for more than 20 years; provided testimony to various Parliamentary committees; and shared his views and opinions with the OVO and media on issues impacting Veterans. 

Sean advocates and writes on Veterans issues, including issues related to the New Veterans Charter, and distress-specific Veterans (including housing for a homeless Veteran, and Veterans difficulties to understand and navigate VAC’s system). 

J. Robert Walsh is a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran. He is an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion both sitting on the Executive Committee and serving in the branch’s Service Office. He won the Medal of Bravery for intervening in a vicious fight when he was a school teacher. He also tracked down a homeless Veteran in Brampton, placed him in an apartment and worked with him to address his medical and employment needs.

After serving 30 years in the military, Michael founded and created The Trail of the Caribou Research Group. Michael tirelessly searches the globe for graves of unmarked soldiers in an effort to commemorate them. The mandate of his foundation is to remember Newfoundlanders who have fought in foreign wars and other armies. His research has led to finding thousands of graves.

One headstone at a time: behind a quest to document N.L. military gravesites | CBC News
 

To call Brigitte Laverdure a lifesaver is no exaggeration. That’s exactly what many Veterans in Canada’s LGBTQ community consider her.

For a 20-year period in the late 1900s, members of the military were subject to a government policy which did not allow non-heterosexuals in the Canadian Forces. Several gay and lesbian members were discharged or quit during that period.

Decades later, several of these men and women were suffering with mental health issues, feeling isolated and even suicidal. Many were struggling with their identity as Veterans. Brigitte reached out when they needed someone most, and was there to listen, understand and help.

Many of these Veterans received or are currently receiving guidance and support from Brigitte through "Victims of CFAO 19-20 in Quebec", a group she established, as well as through her peer support work with Veterans UN-NATO Canada.