Dear Mr. Kortenaar:

I am pleased to share our government’s 2026-27 priorities 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. In a time of economic uncertainty, agencies play a critical role in supporting our commitment to Protect Ontario by improving service delivery, driving innovation, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources – all while adhering to government policies and directives.

In accordance with the Agencies and Appointments Directive, agencies are required to align their goals, objectives and strategic direction with our government’s priorities. As Chair, you are responsible for ensuring that the Soldiers’ Aid Commission’s business plan clearly demonstrates how the agency will fulfil these expectations. Progress and achievements must be reported through your annual report, and compliance with these requirements will be monitored and reported to Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet annually.

This letter sets out my expectations for 2026-27, with a focus on how the Soldiers’ Aid Commission will contribute to protecting Ontario by delivering better services and driving innovation and value for money.

Protect Ontario

  1. Expand domestic partnerships within Canada, to promote the development of supply chains and economic opportunities across Canada and support economic resilience, particularly in light of ongoing U.S. tariff threats and economic uncertainty.
  2. Procure from Ontario and Canadian businesses whenever feasible.
  3. Provide economic relief for Ontario families, consumers and businesses by freezing government fees and fares, unless approved by the oversight Minister.

Deliver better services

  1. Focus on a user-centered client/customer experience by simplifying interactions, improving satisfaction, and expanding and optimizing digital service offerings.
  2. Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, improve services, drive innovation, and achieve cost savings for the people of Ontario, including through the use of AI and other advanced technologies.
  3. Eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape by applying lean methodologies or other modalities to achieve operational efficiency.

Drive innovation & value for money

  1. Find innovative solutions to use public resources efficiently and to effectively deliver on the agency’s mandate while operating within agency’s financial allocation, supported by accurate financial reporting, effective internal controls, and proactive fraud management practices.
  2. Prudently and responsibly manage workforce size. Where an agency requires an increase in workforce size, the agency must provide the Minister with an HR plan for approval that provides the rationale based on government priorities and/or agency mandate.
  3. Create a span of control policy that recognizes different streams of work within the organization and sets minimum span of control benchmarks, and provide it to the Minister for approval by March 31st, 2026.
  4. Provide to your oversight minister by October 1, 2025, the amended human resource policy, guideline or directive that adheres to the OPS in-office standard of four (4) days per week effective October 20, 2025, and five (5) days per week effective January 5, 2026, and work with your oversight ministry to address any office space constraints.

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

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

  1. Continue year over year program growth to support more of Ontario’s vulnerable Veterans and their immediate families through the SAC financial assistance program.
  2. Focus on continued outreach opportunities within the Veteran community to promote the supports available through the Soldiers’ Aid Commission.
  3. Continue to support applicants by provided funding to eligible applicants in a timely and efficient manner.

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 board members 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 the Developmental and Supportive Services Branch.

Sincerely,

Minister Michael Parsa