This survey will provide insight into the health and well-being of Canadian veterans after their transition to civilian life.
The survey asks questions about physical and mental health, as well as the use of health care services and supports.
Results from the survey will be used to:
- compare the health status of Canadian veterans with that of other Canadians
- understand factors that affect veterans' health and their access to health care services
- help ensure that services for veterans, including health, wellness, employment and family programs, continue to improve to meet their needs.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
Collection period:
Collection methods:
Survey participation:
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Data sharing agreements and record linkage
Record linkage
To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada may combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.
Topics covered in the survey
Participants will be asked questions on multiple topics such as the perception of their physical and mental health state, on chronic conditions, the use of health care services, and behaviors related to health such as smoking, electronic cigarettes and vaping, and alcohol use.
Data are also collected on a variety of socio-demographics. These data allow for health analysis for specific population groups (by age groups, sex, etc.)
Published data
Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.
Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.
Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.
Survey-specific questions
- What is the Canadian Veteran Health Survey?
- How does this survey benefit Canadian veterans?
- Who is conducting and funding this survey?
- When will the survey take place?
- How can I complete my survey?
- When will the results be released?
- Do I have to take part in this survey?
- Will my answers be shared with Veterans Affairs Canada?
- How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
What is the Canadian Veteran Health Survey?
The Canadian Veteran Health Survey (CVHS) is a voluntary survey of former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.
The purpose of the CVHS is to provide insight into how former CAF members have transitioned to civilian life, as part of the Life After Service (LASS) program of research. The survey collects information on health, social and economic status indicators, health care utilization, and health determinants with the objectives of:
- assessing the health outcomes of released CAF personnel after transition to civilian life
- comparing the results of released CAF personnel with that of other Canadians
- contributing to Veteran Affairs Canada program and service improvements to meet the needs of former CAF members
How does this survey benefit Canadian veterans?
The data collected from the Canadian Veteran Health Survey will be used to help researchers and policymakers evaluate the effectiveness of the programs and services offered to veterans. By understanding the ongoing effects of military service on transition to civilian life, the results from this survey will contribute to improving the health of veterans in Canada.
This data will provide a clearer picture of the emerging health challenges—both mental and physical—that Canadian veterans face. Previous surveys (such as the Life After Service Survey) resulted in policies that facilitate access to quality care (in-person and online), an increased knowledge base, and new commitments for funding.
Who is conducting and funding this survey?
Statistics Canada is conducting this survey on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada.
When will the survey take place?
Survey collection will take place from October 1 to December 31, 2022.
How can I complete my survey?
Selected respondents can complete their survey online by using the secure access code provided in their invitation letter, or by telephone with an interviewer.
When will the results be released?
Survey results are expected to be available in the summer of 2023.
Do I have to take part in this survey?
No. This is a voluntary survey, intended to capture the experiences of a representative portion of the Canadian veteran population. However, full participation is very important as it will help to ensure the survey results are representative of the Canadian veteran population as a whole. Every individual who participates in the survey helps make the results more accurate and meaningful.
Will my answers be shared with Veterans Affairs Canada?
When completing the survey questionnaire, respondents will be asked whether they want to share their data with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). VAC has agreed to follow Statistics Canada policies to keep the information confidential and to use the data only for statistical purposes. VAC is prohibited from disclosing any information that could identify respondents based on information collected by Statistics Canada. VAC researchers can work only with the data of respondents who agreed to share their data and they can only release aggregate data from the information they receive from Statistics Canada.
For respondents who do not wish to share their data with VAC, their data will remain at Statistics Canada.
How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
As with all Statistics Canada surveys, any information provided will remain confidential pursuant to the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada takes the privacy of Canadians very seriously. Published data can never identify you.
To find out more about the measures in place to safeguard the confidentiality of your information, visit Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.