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.

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.

In the approved 2008-2011 Audit and Evaluation Plan, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) identified the Residential Care Program at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building (CHVMB) for audit. The Chief Audit Executive of VAC engaged Audit Services Canada (ASC) to plan and conduct the audit. CHVMB is a part of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre under the Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) of the Province of Nova Scotia. It is the largest Veterans facility in the Atlantic Region providing, under contract with VAC, long-term beds on a priority access basis to eligible Veterans under VACs Residential Care Program. This audit focused on VACs controls to manage CDHAs delivery of the Residential Care Program at CHVMB.

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.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services is a component of the Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Program. It provides vocational assistance services and benefits to eligible Veterans who have a health problem, and their families, to assist them in their re-establishment to civilian life. Vocational services and benefits include vocational assessments, employability skills, training, career exploration, job placement and follow-up support. The purpose of the audit was to provide assurance that financial controls were working as intended, to deliver results in accordance with related authorities. This is the first audit of Vocational Rehabilitation since its inception in 2006.

The War Veterans Allowance (WVA) Program, which began in 1930, provides monthly financial support to low-income war service Veterans and civilians (e.g., Overseas Welfare Workers, Auxiliary Services Personnel) or their survivors/dependents to help them meet their basic needs. This evaluation was conducted in accordance with Section 42.1 of the *Financial Administration Act* which requires that every federal department conducts a review of the relevance and effectiveness of each ongoing program of grants and contributions programs every five years.

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 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.

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 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.