Veterans ombud to embark on BC tour with stops in Vernon and Armstrong

Photo: Contributed

North Okanagan veterans and their families will have in-person opportunities to speak with ombudsperson Col. (ret’d) Nishika Jardine.

The veterans ombud will visit British Columbia next week, to hear concerns from the veterans community.

“I am very much looking forward to connecting with the veterans community in British Columbia,” Jardine said from her office in Charlottetown.

“Listening to the concerns of veterans and their families enables us to better serve them,” she adds.

Jardine will include stops in Armstrong and Vernon on a tour that includes Courtney, Victoria and Vancouver.

This tour will include town halls, meetings with stakeholders, and the grand opening of Veterans Village in Surrey.

The town halls will provide an opportunity for the Jardine to hear concerns and to share information on work being done by the Office of the Veterans Ombud, as well as priorities for the future.

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, veterans and their families are invited to attend the public events.

“We want to hear directly from them about their experiences with Veterans Affairs Canada as they seek to access the programs and benefits available to them,” says Jardine.

The local stops are at the Armstrong Legion, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m., and at the Vernon Army, Navy, Air Force unit, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m.