Veterans Affairs Canada Supports Expansion of Caribou Memorial Veterans Pavilion

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwire - Aug. 17, 2009) - The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, today joined the Honourable Paul Oram, Minister of Health and Community Services, Newfoundland and Labrador and Vickie Kaminski, President and C.E.O. of Eastern Health, to officially open the Sir Winston Churchill Wing of the Caribou Memorial Veterans Pavilion. Veterans Affairs Canada provided $3 million for the expansion to the long-term care facility and $200,000 for upgrades.

"This investment demonstrates our government's gratitude to our Veterans by ensuring they receive the highest standard of care available," said Minister Thompson.

Veterans Affairs Canada partnered with Eastern Health to extend and renovate the facility, which currently houses Second World War and Korean War Veterans. In addition to general site upgrades, the expansion created a specialized dementia care unit and provided a total of 56 long-term care beds with private and semi-private rooms.

"On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I thank both Veterans Affairs Canada and Eastern Health for their dedication to seeing this enhanced pavilion become a reality," said Minister Oram. "This expansion, combined with the professional and hardworking staff already in place at the pavilion, will help us provide Newfoundland and Labrador Veterans with excellent care."

For more information on Veterans Affairs Canada's programs and services, please visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca.