National Achievements
At the National level, CPVA has consistently provided the Canadian Veteran community with focused, knowledgeable, innovative, and cooperative leadership that has reached far beyond our own membership and expressed itself in many ways that have benefited all Canadian Veterans.
For example, CPVA organized a trip to Cyprus for Canadian UNFICYP Veterans and their spouses to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the mission’s commencement.
CPVA’s proposal, in the late 1990’s, led to the establishment of the VAC-Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Advisory Council, the first such forum established by VAC to allow modern-day CAF Veterans organizations to participate equally at the table with the traditional Veterans organizations. This eventually led to the establishment of the Veterans Consultation Assembly and the current set of Ministerial Advisory Groups.
CPVA’s immediate Past-President, Ray Kokkonen, is a longstanding member of the Advisory Group on Recognition, where he consistently provides sage and thoughtful input to VAC’s new strategy of regional commemorations, as well as development and site selection for the National Afghanistan Memorial in Ottawa.
Additional contributions that can be attributed to CPVA leadership and influence include creation of the Veterans Bill of Rights, the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, the 1-800 VAC assistance line, establishment of the Office of the Veteran’s Ombudsman, and the Government of Canada’s official designation of 9 August as National Peacekeepers’ Day.
Over the years, representatives of CPVA have also testified on issues affecting Veteran well-being before Senate and House of Commons Standing Committees. They also addressed the future of Canadian contributions to United Nations peacekeeping efforts, including leadership development, creation of a rapidly deployable, multinational mission headquarters, and recommendations on strategic assessment of Canadian contributions to future missions.
CPVA, alone amongst Veterans associations, has taken the initiative to recognize the VAC staff for good support and service to Veterans with its outstanding national and regional service awards program.
CPVA is also the only Canadian Veterans organization recognized by the Norwegian Nobel Committee and granted permission to issue the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize Diploma to eligible Veterans.