Military and Veteran Caregiving in Canada 

Behind military service is a broader circle of care that too often remains invisible. Military and Veteran caregivers provide essential support in circumstances shaped by frequent relocations, long periods of separation, geographic isolation from extended family, and service-related illness, injury, or trauma. 

Military and Veteran Caregiving in Canada brings together research, policy analysis and the perspectives of people with lived and living experience as caregivers in  military and Veteran communities across Canada. It offers a clearer picture of what caregiving looks like in military and Veteran families and where the gaps in support remain. 

The report examines the pressures facing this community and sets out practical public policy solutions to better support the well-being of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, Veterans, and the families who care for them. 

About military and Veteran caregiving in Canada: 

• In 2024, there were 52,835 Regular Force members and 22,024 in the Reserve Force of the Canadian Military. 

• In 2021, there were 461,240 Veterans in Canada. 

• Approximately 10% of all CAF members have caregiving responsibilities for elderly parents or disabled adult family members. 

• Almost half (46%) of Veterans in Canada had at least one disability compared with 27% of non-Veterans. 

• Approximately one-third of Veteran caregivers contribute more than 60 hours of care per week, and nearly a quarter report more than 100 hours per week. 
  

CCCE worked with Worklife-Harmony Enterprises to produce this report.