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 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.

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.

This Rehabilitation Services Evaluation was conducted in accordance with Veterans Affairs Canada's (VAC) approved Multi-year Risk Based Evaluation Plan 2013-2018. Established in 2006, the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act (hereinafter referred to as the New Veterans Charter or NVC), shifts the Department's focus from one of disability to one of wellness and responds to Canada's commitment to injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans. As part of the NVC, the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program (hereinafter referred to as the Program) provides eligible Veteran recipients and their spouse/survivor(s) with one or more of the following types of rehabilitation services: medical, psychosocial, or vocational. In fiscal year 2012-13, the Program funded $18.4 million in benefits and services. The intent of the Program is to support the reasonable restoration of functioning in the following five major areas: mental and physical functioning; social adjustment; family relationships; financial security, employment and personal productivity; and community participation. Recipients are primarily Veterans who were recently medically-released from the CAF, or CAF Veterans who have a health problem resulting primarily from service which is creating a barrier to their re-establishment in civilian life. Veterans often present with complex co-morbid conditions which require the use of the various available medical and psychosocial rehabilitation benefits and services. The evaluation examined the relevance and performance of the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program and was conducted in accordance with Treasury Board (TB) requirements and TB Secretariat guidance material. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of evidence.

This report presents the findings of the evaluation of the Partnerships Contribution Program (PCP), which covers the period between April 2008 and March 2011. This evaluation meets the Treasury Board Secretariat's requirement for evaluation coverage of all ongoing programs of grants and contributions. An evaluation of the PCP is also required as part of the renewal of the Terms and Conditions. The PCP provides a means through which Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) can extend its reach in delivering its mandate regarding commemorative activities. The program provides non-repayable contributions to a range of potential recipients, such as non-profit organizations, museums, educational institutions, provinces, territories and municipalities. There are two funding opportunities available under the PCP: * the Community Engagement Partnership Fund (CEPF) provides eligible organizations and groups with financial assistance to deliver remembrance activities and events regionally and nationally; and * the Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program (CMRP) provides eligible organizations and groups with financial assistance to properly conserve cenotaphs and monuments honouring Canada's war dead and Veterans.

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 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 the Disability Benefits program was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2014–19. The objective of the Disability Benefits program is to compensate Veterans/members and other individuals in recognition of the effects of service-related disabilities, death or incarceration/evasion/escape. The Disability Benefits program consists of both the Disability Pension and the Disability Award. The Pension Act of 1919 provides the framework for the Disability Pension (DP) which is a tax-free monthly payment, with the amount of the payment based on the extent of the Veteran's diagnosed medical disability related to their service. The Disability Award (DA), established in 2006 as part of the New Veterans Charter (NVC), provides injured members and Veterans with a tax-free cash award for an injury or illness resulting from military service. The amount of the award will depend on the severity of the disability. The Disability Benefits program provides a gateway to other VAC programs, services and benefits.

The Veterans Affairs Canada Health Care Benefits Program provides eligible Veterans and other qualified individuals with benefits and services, such as medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices and home adaptations, through 14 Programs of Choice. Under the Veterans Health Care Regulations and Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, eligible Veterans and other qualified individuals have access to benefits and services, such as medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices and home adaptations. Related Health Services are services provided by health care professionals other than physicians, dentists and nurses. Examples of these types of services include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, speech language pathology and psychological counseling. The objective of this audit was to assess Veterans Affairs Canada’s management control framework, and compliance with applicable policies and processes, and to identify any potential opportunities to improve efficiency of decision making for Related Health Services. The scope covered transactions processed from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013.

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.