Working Together in Montréal to Improve Veterans’ Well-Being: A Canadian Perspective

Abstract

Services for veterans in Canada can be unclear and difficult to navigate for civilian service providers working with veterans. In this article, we feature two Montréal-based initiatives that aim to improve services for veterans through collaboration, the Old Brewery Mission and Respect Forum. We begin by providing background information about Canada’s recent history of military engagements and veterans affairs issues. The first example of collaboration presented is the Sentinelles de la rue (Sentinels of the Street) program, led by the Old Brewery Mission. The Mission works with Montréal’s homeless men and women, meeting their essential needs while finding practical and sustainable solutions to end chronic homelessness. The Mission is now developing a collaborative model in partnership with government departments, veterans peer support organizations, and local health and social services to house and support homeless military veterans. The second example is Respect Forum, a not-for-profit initiative that has been organizing networking events in Montréal, Québec since 2016. The aim of these events is to promote military–civilian and multisectoral collaboration to improve services for veterans. Respect Forum meetings have made it possible to begin bringing together and mapping out local and national service providers working with veterans.