True Patriot Love launches National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan

First Canadian research finds increasing Veteran volunteerism can address the national volunteer shortage and improve Veteran well-being

True Patriot Love launches National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan  

OTTAWA, April 21, 2026 – At a time when Canada is placing renewed focus on its military community, True Patriot Love Foundation is proud to launch the National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan (NVVAP), a first-of-its-kind initiative, funded by Veterans Affairs Canada, that positions Veterans as a vital yet underutilized solution to two pressing national challenges: a strained charitable sector and the need to better support Veteran well-being during and after the transition to civilian life.

Unveiled today at the Canadian Museum of History, the Action Plan is grounded in the first Canadian research that examines the impact of volunteerism on Veterans’ well-being. The findings highlight both a significant opportunity and a critical gap: while many Veterans are eager to continue serving their communities, barriers persist that limit their participation in volunteer roles.

“This is a national opportunity hiding in plain sight,” said Eleanor Taylor, Head of Community Engagement and Advocacy, True Patriot Love Foundation. “Veterans bring leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to service. With the right structures in place, we can better connect that capacity to the growing needs of communities across Canada.”

“Veterans carry forward a lifetime of service defined by leadership, resilience, teamwork, and an unwavering sense of duty,” said the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. “For many, the transition out of uniform does not mark an end to service, but instead an evolution of how their purpose is expressed. Through volunteerism, Veterans channel their skills and experience in new ways, build renewed camaraderie, and continue serving their communities. True Patriot Love Foundation’s National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan will provide insights that support Veterans by expanding opportunities to contribute meaningfully; strengthening their well-being, their communities, and the organizations Canadians rely on every day.”

Veterans Affairs Canada supported the development of the National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan through the Veteran and Family Well-being Fund.  

“Today is the result of a collective, national commitment to recognizing the powerful link between volunteer engagement and Veteran well-being,” said the Honourable Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “The launch of the National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan affirms that when Veterans are empowered to serve in new ways, our communities become stronger, more resilient, and more united.”

A Timely National Issue

Research commissioned by True Patriot Love Foundation found that Veterans are highly motivated to continue serving in civilian life and that Volunteerism has a strong positive impact on Veteran well-being. However, structural and cultural barriers prevent many from fully engaging. The Action Plan is informed by 10 key recommendations to strengthen and support meaningful Veteran volunteerism, gathered through cross-country community engagement both online and in person.  

Key findings Include:

• A strong majority (82%) of respondents described their overall experience volunteering with the seven participating partner organizations as very positive.

• 81% reported experiencing a strong sense of camaraderie and support while volunteering.

• 69% of Veterans felt their service was very impactful on the communities or individuals they supported.

• 92% of Veterans surveyed report that volunteering was impactful on their well-being.

• Women Veterans were represented (39%) at a rate significantly higher than their proportion within the overall Veteran population.

• Veterans who volunteered more than average reported higher well-being across a variety of factors compared to those who volunteered less than average.

Perspectives from 14 not-for-profit organizations who contributed to the Action Plan noted they highly valued Veterans as skilled, reliable, and service-driven leaders, but often lack the capacity, tools, and confidence to engage them effectively. In addition, recruitment is often informal and inconsistent, with limited structured pathways, making it difficult to match Veterans’ skills to meaningful volunteer opportunities.

Leaders United on a National Plan

The launch event brought together senior leaders from government, the military, and the charitable sector to advance a national conversation on Veteran engagement. In attendance for the official unveiling of the National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan was Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Jill McKnight, as well as Brigadier-General Serge Ménard, Commander, Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group, the Honourable Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism and Major-General (Ret’d) Craig Aitchison CMM CD, Interim CEO, True Patriot Love.  

Panellist Sara Lyons of Volunteer Canada, spoke to the need for national volunteer engagement; Bruce MacDonald of Imagine Canada, brought sector-wide insight on capacity and resilience, and Chief Warrant Officer (Ret’d) Anthony Jones, MMM, CD, shared lived experience as a transitioning Veteran volunteer. The panel was moderated by Brigadier-General (Ret’d) Chris Ayotte, Chair of the National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan Advisory Committee.  

See the full National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan Summary Report here.  

About True Patriot Love Foundation

True Patriot Love is Canada’s foundation for the military community, working to support military members, Veterans, and their families at every stage of their journey. By working as a trusted partner with local charities, social enterprises, the Canadian Armed Forces and the federal and provincial governments, True Patriot Love advocates for the needs of military members and Veterans and ensures resources are directed where they are needed most.  

True Patriot Love has granted over $50 million for Veterans and their families, reaching more than 44,000 beneficiaries and supported more than 1,100 community-based programs across the country.

From global initiatives like the Invictus Games – of which True Patriot Love is the main funder of Team Canada – to local wellness centres and mental health programs, True Patriot Love has a research-backed approach that provides ongoing funding, partnerships and knowledge sharing to Canada’s most vital military and Veteran support programs.  

About the Veteran and Family and Well-Being Fund

Launched in 2018, the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund supports innovative initiatives and research that improve the well-being of Veterans and their families. The program provides grants and contributions to organizations across Canada to develop and deliver these projects. Since the first call for applications in May 2018, more than $74 million has been awarded to support 166 initiatives.

‍