Ontario’s Government for the People begins consultations for telephone hotline for military families
Ontario’s Government for the People will soon make it easier for Canadian military heroes and their families to get information and services they need.
Premier Doug Ford, accompanied by Bill Walker, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, and Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and MPP for Bay of Quinte, was in Trenton to announce the launch of consultations with military families to establish a one-stop-shop hotline that will make it easier to get information about schooling, job opportunities, child care, licensing for drivers and vehicles, and other programs and services.
“Military families are transferred across Canada three times more often than the average Canadian throughout their career,” said Ford. “These moves cause stress and anxiety, and our government wants to do all we can to make life a little bit easier for military family members.”
The consultation process will occur in military communities, an online portal is available, and other provinces and federal jurisdictions will be included to form a complete picture of the challenges military families face. Results will inform the telephone hotline Ontario will establish to provide military families new to Ontario with the key resources they need on arrival.
“Our government wants to make life a bit easier for these military family members who sacrifice every day to help keep us safe. We hope we can make it as seamless as possible when military families transfer to a base in our province,” said Walker. “These consultations that are launching today will connect us directly with the families of those who serve in our armed forces. We want to better understand programs and services they are looking for, and identify the problems they face when moving to Ontario.”
“I’ve heard first-hand from military families in Trenton on the challenges they have faced in accessing services and resources when first moving to Ontario,” said Smith. “I am proud our government is taking swift action in moving forward with its Speech from the Throne commitment to create a military hotline.”
“The people of Ontario are grateful for the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform,” said Ford. “We know their dedicated service is only possible with the support of their families. We promised we would do what we can to make moving to and living in Ontario easier, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Details on in-person consultation session will be available at a later date. In the meantime, families can visit Ontario.ca/MilitaryFamilies.
Quick Facts
A 2013 report by the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence found that relocation is a major cause of strain for spouses and children of members of the Canadian Forces.
The Canadian Forces launched the Seamless Canada initiative in June, 2018 to better align programs and services for military members that may change within different provinces where they may be deployed.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
