Ottawa – Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, announced the composition of Canada’s inaugural Women Veterans Council. The Council will consist of twelve women from diverse ranks, backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences. Their experiences will ensure that a wide-range of voices are represented on the Council to inform the work of Veterans Affairs Canada. The Council, built by women Veterans for women Veterans, will provide insight to the Minister on all matters of importance to women Veterans. The Council members are:
- Constable (retired) Jennifer Chorney (RCMP)
- Warrant Officer (retired) Celine Filion (CAF)
- Major Dawn LeBlanc (CAF)
- Corporal (retired) Sarah Lefurgey (RCMP)
- Captain (retired) Hélène Le Scelleur, CD (CAF)
- Sergeant (retired) Jessica Miller (CAF)
- Colonel (retired) Telah Morrison, OMM, CD (CAF)
- Dr. Wenshuang (Wen) Nie (CAF)
- Corporal Ellen Peters (RCMP)
- Captain (retired) Lindsay Shields, CD (CAF)
- Constable (retired) Vivienne Stewart (RCMP)
- Lt.-Col. (retired) Eleanor Taylor (CAF)
This announcement follows recommendations from stakeholders, as well as the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) report, Invisible No More. The Experiences of Canadian Women Veterans. Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to ensuring that all Veterans receive the supports, recognition and respect they deserve.
“The inaugural Women Veterans Council will play a key role in shaping programs and supports for women Veterans. These twelve exceptional Veterans and serving CAF and RCMP members are already leaders in their communities. I look forward to learning from their experiences, heeding their expertise, and working together to advance our shared goal: improving the way the Government serves women Veterans.” – Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence