‘We can serve them better’: Ont. minister meets with Windsor veterans to discuss improving provincial supports

Minister Graham McGregor visited Legion 564 in Windsor to hear concerns from veterans.

A provincial cabinet minister says Ontario can do more to support the nearly 150,000 veterans living across the province after meeting with veterans and service organizations in Windsor.

The discussion took place Saturday at Legion Branch 594, where Minister Graham McGregor met with local veterans to hear about challenges they face and ways the province could improve supports in what he called “a brilliant discussion.”

He said the meeting was intended to gather feedback directly from veterans about how programs and services can be improved.

“We live in the best country and the best province in the world, and that’s defended by people making a real sacrifice — and not only them, but their families as well,” McGregor said.

The minister pointed to several initiatives already introduced by the province aimed at supporting veterans, including free fishing licences, a dedicated healthcare helpline for veterans, property tax exemptions for Royal Canadian Legions, and a new medal recognizing veterans for community service after military life.

However, he said more work is needed.

“There’s 149,000 veterans in Ontario today — we can serve them better, and we will serve them better,” he said.

Among the ideas raised during the Windsor discussion were improving incentives to help veterans transition into civilian jobs, expanding peer-support networks, and improving access to healthcare.

McGregor also said there is a need to ensure first responders are aware of the unique circumstances many veterans may face.

“We can do a better job of helping them access healthcare and making sure that first responders are aware of some of the unique circumstances around veterans,” he said.

McGregor said hearing directly from veterans helps shape better policy.

“If we sit in Queen’s Park in an office, the ideas that we come up with aren’t going to be as good as the ideas that we’ll hear directly from the source,” he said, adding he took “two whole pages of notes” during the discussion.

The province says it will review feedback from the meeting as it considers additional ways to improve supports for veterans.