Dear Philip ten Kortenaar,

I am pleased to share our government’s 2025-26 priorities and key program changes for the Soldiers’ Aid Commission.

Agencies are a part of government and are expected to act in the best interests of the people of Ontario and ensure that they provide value for money to taxpayers. Agencies are also required to adhere to government policies and directives.

Per the requirements of the Agencies and Appointments Directive, agencies are required to align goals, objectives and strategic direction with our government’s priorities and direction. As Chair, you must ensure that Soldiers’ Aid Commission’s business plan demonstrates the agency’s plans in fulfilling the expectations and government priorities below and that progress and achievements are reported through your annual report. Compliance with these requirements is reported to Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet annually.

This letter sets out my expectations for 2025-26 that the Soldiers’ Aid Commission is innovative, sustainable and accountable through the following direction:

Innovative

  1. Simplify client/customer interactions
  2. Expand and optimize digital service offerings
  3. Improve Client/ customer satisfaction

Sustainable

  1. Strengthen public service delivery by optimizing organizational capacity and directing existing resources to priority areas
  2. Use Public Resources efficiently and operate within the agency’s financial allocations.

Accountable

  1. Develop and report on outcome-focused performance measures to effectively monitor and measure performance
  2. Protect individual, business or organization data by actively managing data and cybersecurity and reporting Artificial Intelligence uses
  3. Report all high risks including effective mitigation plans
  4. Develop and encourage diversity and inclusion initiatives by promoting an equitable, inclusive, accessible, anti-racist and diverse workplace

These are the government-wide commitments for board-governed provincial agencies.

Key program changes:

I’d like to take this opportunity to address key program changes that our government has made to the Soldiers’ Aid Commission program through recent changes to the Soldiers Aid Commission Act, 2020 and O. Reg. 703/20 made under the Act.

Increasing funding limit:

Changes to O. Reg. 703/20 have increased the funding available from the Commission to $3,000 per 12-month period. This will allow the Commission to better support veterans with requests for assistance for some higher cost items or additional requests within a 12-month period.

Modifying the last resort requirement:

Amendments to O. Reg. 703/20 also now only require veterans to seek support from federal veteran specific funding prior to requesting assistance from the Commission. This eliminates a step in the application process for veterans, making it easier for low-income veterans in need to seek financial assistance from SAC. It also allows Ontario to support our veterans rather than asking them to seek assistance from charities first.

Enhancing commissioner outreach:

The new object of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission Act, 2020 has been amended to include the role of SAC to assist the Minister in promoting the financial assistance program administered by the Commission to increase awareness of the program for the benefit of veterans and their family members.

I am also sharing several priorities specific to the Soldiers’ Aid Commission:

  1. Continuing to grow the program by supporting more eligible Veterans and their families.
  2. Continuing to lead outreach opportunities by targeting both new and existing Veteran organizations to strengthen and/or establish networks and promote the mandate of the Commission.
  3. Reviewing applications in a timely manner to ensure expedient turnaround times for applicants applying to the Commission for financial assistance.
  4. Continuing to build and strengthen relationships with the Commission’s two key stakeholders within the Royal Canadian Legion – Ontario Command and Veterans Affairs Canada.

At our next meeting, I would be pleased to discuss these priorities, and I look forward to hearing how they will be reflected in the agency’s upcoming business plan and in ongoing agency operations.

Thank you and your fellow Commissioners for your continued commitment to the Soldiers’ Aid Commission. Your work and ongoing support is invaluable to our government and the people of Ontario.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nicole Norton, Manager with the Developmental and Supportive Services Branch.

Sincerely,
Minister Michael Parsa