Life After Service Survey, 2016
Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.
Released: 2017-06-23
Since being released from military service, four in five Regular Force Veterans returned to work at a civilian job or ran a business. When asked about their activities over the past 12 months, almost two-thirds (65%) of Veterans reported primarily working at a job or running a business, while 8% reported they were disabled or on a disability leave. The remainder were either retired and not looking for work (16%), or attending school or receiving training (5%).
Most Veterans derive satisfaction from their return to the labour force
Of the Veterans who reported working at a job or running a business in the past 12 months, most (81%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their work. Just over two in five Veterans reported job stability, with 41% holding the same job since 2013.
Military experience, education and training help Veterans find civilian employment
Many Veterans found themselves working in jobs that used the knowledge and skills they acquired from their military service. Just over half of the Veterans (51%) who worked at a civilian job or ran a business reported that the knowledge and skills they used on the job were the same as those used while on active military service. Almost three-quarters of Veterans (73%) who worked since their release also reported that their military experiences, education and training helped them in their civilian careers.
Veterans report difficulties adjusting to civilian life
Every year, approximately 4,500 Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force members transition from active duty to civilian life. One-third of Veterans (33%) reported a difficult or very difficult adjustment to civilian life after serving as a member of the Regular Forces in Canada. This is up from 2013, when 30% of Veterans reported a difficult or very difficult adjustment.
Note to readers
These results come from the 2016 Life after Service Survey (LASS), a survey on Canadian Regular Force Veterans who have been released between 1998 and 2015. The LASS has been conducted by Statistics Canada every three years since 2010 on behalf of Veteran Affairs Canada.
LASS data provide valuable information on the ongoing effects of military service, as well as the types of benefits and pensions, programs and services available to Canadian Veterans through Veterans Affairs Canada.
Additional findings from the 2016 LASS are available on the Veterans Affairs Canada website (www.veterans.gc.ca) and (VAC.Research-Recherche.ACC@vac-acc.gc.ca). For media enquiries, contact media relations (613-992-7468), Veterans Affairs Canada.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services, Special Surveys Division (toll-free 1-800-461-9050; 613-951-3321; fax 613-951-4527; ssd@statcan.gc.ca).
- Date modified: