In 2012, the Nova Scotia RCMP Veterans’ Association initiated the Support and Advocacy Committee after recognizing the lack of available assistance and support in pursuing VAC pensions and other retirement issues for RCMP Veterans and their families. The Committee has evolved over the past six years and developed various strategies to support the retired and serving RCMP members and families.
They successfully developed a formally trained group of Division-wide counsellors who provide meaningful responses to requests and organized training courses for Veterans wishing to engage in the program, as well as, delivering fourteen informative workshops in all corners of the province for Veterans and their spouses, utilizing qualified professionals who detail the resources available to the Veterans and families. Further assistance protocols have been developed to support spouses and families through the post-death realities of pension transition and benefits continuation for survivors. The current Co-Directors, Vic and Jan Gorman, also developed a Guide for Survivors and Executors that has been adopted by the RCMP Veterans’ Association Canada-wide.
This growing organization now consists of 28 members spread across Nova Scotia. This past year alone, they handled 400 cases.