Seamless Canada was launched by the Defence Team in June 2018, when a group of representatives from Canada’s provinces and territories came together at a conference hosted by the DND/ CAF at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. Their mission: to collaborate as federal, provincial and private sector partners to improve service coordination across jurisdictions, easing relocation burdens for Canadian Armed Forces members and their families.
A link was also formed with the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS), which provides programs and services for CAF members, veterans and their families across Canada.
A formal Seamless Canada Steering Committee (SCSC) was established in 2021 and ratified in 2022. This further strengthened the joint commitment to help make relocation easier for CAF members and their families.
Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence is the incoming federal co-chair of the SCSC.
“I am honoured to take on the role of co-chair of the Seamless Canada Steering Committee. My family’s military connection is a story I proudly share, and I recognize the sacrifices made daily by Canadian Armed Forces families. With both my children and my daughter-in-law serving in the CAF, I understand the reality and the challenges military families face while serving our country. I look forward to working with my provincial and territorial partners as we join forces to deliver results for military families.”
Military families are the experts on their own relocation experiences and are encouraged to complete feedback forms on subjects relevant to their posting and move, such as childcare, child and youth education, healthcare and spousal employment.
The next biannual Seamless Canada steering committee virtual conference and roundtable is scheduled to take place December 1. Committee members from across Canada will come together to find ways to improve services to CAF members and their families when they move to a different province or territory.
