The evaluation of the Community War Memorial Program (CWMP) was conducted to address the requirement for full evaluation coverage, as per the *Financial Administration Act* and Treasury Board's 2009 Directive on the Evaluation Function. An evaluation of the CWMP was also required prior to its specified end date of March 31, 2015 to inform future decision-making on this program, or similar programs within the Government of Canada. The purpose of the Program is to provide a method through which VAC can extend its reach in delivering its mandate regarding commemorative activities. The Program provides non-repayable contributions of up to 50% of the total project costs associated with building a new cenotaph/monument or a major addition to an existing one to a maximum of $50,000 per project. The Program provides funding to various recipients including registered charitable organizations, provinces, territories and municipalities. Funds are reimbursed for eligible capital costs incurred, based on valid receipts. Delivery is in the form of a contribution payment and therefore requires a written funding agreement between VAC and the recipient.

The Evaluation of Commemorative Benefits and Services was conducted in accordance with Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) approved Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2012-17 and with the directive and standards specified in Treasury Board of Canada’s 2009 Policy on Evaluation. The evaluation covered three programs: Funeral and Burial, Cemetery and Grave Maintenance, and Honours and Awards. While the programs have differing objectives, they are all intended to reaffirm Canada's commitment to remember the sacrifices of the fallen, the Veterans, those who served our country on the home front, and those who served and will continue to serve our nation in the cause of peace throughout the world. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.

In accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada Evaluation Plan (2011-2016) approved by the Departmental Evaluation Committee, the Audit and Evaluation Division was tasked with conducting the evaluation of the Memorials and Cemetery/Grave Maintenance Program. The Memorials and Cemetery/Grave Maintenance Program preserves the memory of deceased Canadians who served their country during war and peace by maintaining symbols of remembrance in perpetuity. This includes responsibility for the 14 memorials to the First and Second World Wars in Europe, the graves of Canadian war dead all over the world, the graves of Veterans and some others buried at the expense of Canada located throughout the world, and two departmental Veterans’ cemeteries in Canada. Two unique memorials to those who died in service to Canada, the Books of Remembrance and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM) are also maintained through this program. The evaluation examined the relevance, effectiveness/success, efficiency and economy of the program, and was conducted in accordance with Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) requirements and guidance materiel.

The evaluation of the Veterans Independence Program was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2015-20. The evaluation covers the time period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2015, and was conducted between June 2015 and January 2016. The objective of the Program is to assist eligible recipients to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible by providing financial assistance towards services which support and promote independence and health. Depending on circumstances and health needs, the Program can contribute to services such as housekeeping, grounds maintenance, personal care, access to nutrition, and health and support services. When home care is no longer practical, the Program assists Veterans to remain in their communities through financial support for intermediate care in community facilities (i.e., nursing home care). The evaluation focused on the housekeeping and grounds maintenance components of the Program because: * these two components combine for 77% of total program expenditures; and * significant changes were made to the method of payment for these components during the period of the evaluation.

The evaluation of the Financial Benefits Program was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2014-19. The program was last evaluated as part of an overall New Veterans Charter Evaluation in 2010-11. The Financial Benefits Program was established in 2006 under the authority of the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, with subsequent amendments expanding eligibility and adding programs. It provides economic support to eligible Canadian Armed Forces Veterans, survivors, and dependents in recognition of the economic impact that a career ending and/or service-related injury or death can have on a Veteran’s ability to earn income, advance in a career or save for retirement. As per Treasury Board Secretariat policy requirements and guidance, this evaluation examined the Financial Benefits Program’s relevance and performance. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.

The evaluation of Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) Disability Pension and Disability Award Programs originated in the requirement to support the renewal of the Terms and Conditions of the Disability Award Program by March 2011. The Disability Award Program is part of the New Veterans Charter (NVC) suite of programs introduced in 2006 in order to meet the needs of a shifting client demographic. The NVC represents the most sweeping changes to Veterans’ benefits and services in the past 60 years.

The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) was introduced in 1981 to respond to an aging demographic Veteran population and to help reduce long-term care (LTC) bed waitlists by providing care to Veterans at home. The national Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) home care program assists qualified Veterans, still-serving Canadian Forces (CF) disability pensioners, surviving spouses/primary caregivers, and certain civilians to maintain their health, quality of life and independence in their own home for as long as possible. At the point where care in the home is no longer possible, the VIP will assist in providing care in long-term care facilities in the community of the Veteran. The VIP is not intended to duplicate or replace existing provincial/territorial or community services, but complements these programs to best meet the needs of Veterans. Under the VIP, a recipient may receive funds to help pay for: • ambulatory health care services (e.g., adult day programs); • access to nutrition (e.g., Meals on Wheels); • health and support services (e.g., nurses, occupational therapists); • personal care (e.g., bathing and dressing); • housekeeping (e.g., laundry, vacuuming, meal preparation); • grounds maintenance (e.g., grass cutting, snow removal); • social transportation (e.g., to activities, shopping, banking) • home adaptations; and • nursing home intermediate care. A goal of the evaluation was to provide timely and value added information to assist management and serve as a basis for decision-making regarding future program direction and design. The VIP evaluation team used multiple lines of evidence, including: statistical data, a literature review, research studies, survey results, file reviews, internal analysis reports, key informant interviews and peer reviews.

This evaluation of the Intermediate and Long Term Care Programs was conducted in accordance with the approved Veterans Affairs Canada Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2012-2017. The Veterans Independence Program Intermediate Care (VIP IC) Program and the Long Term Care (LTC) Program, hereinafter referred to as "the Programs", support eligible Veterans and other individuals who require facility-based long term care. There are two types of beds under the Programs: community beds and contract beds. Community beds are beds in a facility operated by health authorities, private and not-for-profit sectors. Contract beds are beds that are set aside in a community facility pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the facility and VAC. Eligibility for these bed types varies. Community beds fall under both the VIP IC Program and the LTC Program, while Contract beds fall solely under the mandate of the LTC Program. The evaluation examined the relevance and performance of the Programs, and was conducted in accordance with Treasury Board policy requirements and guidance material. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.

The Audit of the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) was approved by the Departmental Audit Committee in 2009. The objectives of the audit were to determine if: 1. up-to-date policies and procedures were in place to support program delivery; 2. program payments were accurately calculated and paid to eligible clients and approved providers; 3. regulatory and policy requirements were complied with; and 4. the quality assurance function provides an ongoing assessment of compliance requirements and identifies opportunities for improvement.

This evaluation of the Health Care Benefits and Services Program was conducted in accordance with Veterans Affairs Canada's (VAC) approved multi-year, risk-based Evaluation Plan 2012-2017. The Health Care Benefits and Services Program, commonly referred to as the Treatment Benefits Program, provides Veteran recipients with access to extended health care. There are 14 benefits and services groups comprising a wide range of offerings. An overview of the benefits and services can be found in Appendix A. The evaluation examined the relevance and performance of the Program, and was conducted in accordance with Treasury Board policy requirements and related Treasury Board Secretariat guidance material. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.