Menu Main body content
Facebook X Youtube Instagram LinkedIn
A collection of images showing amputees of all ages playing sports or doing activities, as well as a photo of two war amputee veterans.
A collection of images showing amputees of all ages playing sports or doing activities, as well as a photo of two war amputee veterans.
–a A+ | | | Print

2021 Annual Report2021 Annual Report

Improving the quality of life for Canadian amputees


Contents at a Glance

 

Thank You

As a donor, you make our essential programs for amputees, including veterans, adults and children, possible.

A young male arm amputee sits at a picnic table and plays a xylophone.

2021 was another unprecedented year for everyone, including charitable organizations like ours. With one year of the pandemic passed, we looked ahead to how we could best serve amputees in Canada, despite challenging circumstances. Our work for amputees would not have been possible without the generous support of the public, and we thank you for entrusting us with your donations.

We continued to be fully present for our members while adhering to all public health guidelines, pivoting to assist them through phone, email, video and online. We officially launched a new initiative to serve child amputees and their families, offering increased connection and information resources through our Canada-wide virtual sessions and personalized outreach to families new to amputation. Although we could not hold our regional Child Amputee (CHAMP) seminars again this year, we found that children and their families continued to make real and lasting connections with others in our virtual sessions.

In 2021, The War Amps continued to pursue fair government pensions and benefits for disabled veterans and their families through submissions to the government and media advocacy. We also tackled the issue of the unacceptable wait-time and backlog crisis for approval of veterans’ benefits and medical treatments, a crusade we will continue to fight.

A young male arm amputee sits at a picnic table and plays a xylophone.

In this annual report, you will read about our work for amputees over the past year, as well as personal stories from people living with amputation and their loved ones about how your donations have made a difference in their daily lives.

Your support allows us to carry on the more than 100-year legacy of The War Amps and ensures that amputees in Canada have an organization advocating for them that is committed to improving their quality of life. We greatly appreciate the contributions of our donors, including corporate and foundation donors and those who have left charitable estate donations in their wills, which makes vital programs for amputees possible. Because of you, we are able to identify gaps in government and private insurance coverage and strive to fill these gaps so that amputees can lead independent and active lives with the artificial limbs that were medically prescribed to them.

You can also see more of the ways your donations help amputees and keep up with us daily on social media. We welcome your feedback and, as always, remain accountable to you.

Your Story

“I am very grateful to The War Amps for your Key Tag Service. My purse was stolen with my keys inside, and I was sure I’d never see them again. I was so surprised when my keys were delivered to my home by courier from The War Amps. Thank you so much; you saved me hundreds of dollars in replacement fees and gave me peace of mind.”

Mary-Anne

Financial Assistance for Artificial Limbs

Thanks to the support of our donors, The War Amps funds a significant portion of artificial limbs in Canada.

A young female multiple amputee smiles big while riding her bike.

“Our daughter Michaela was born missing part of her left arm, as well as some fingers and toes. The War Amps has been there for us since day one and has given us so much support.

“We call Michaela’s artificial arms her ‘helper hands.’ They help her do things in a way that doesn’t overwork her other hand, which could cause problems when she’s older. Without the funding from The War Amps, it would be very difficult for us to get her any artificial limbs at all. Whatever isn’t covered through our workplace insurance and the government, The War Amps steps in and covers so she has these devices to help her through daily life.”

Tracie and Jeremy, Michaela’s parents
A young female with a Syme’s amputation holds a beach ball while playing in the water at a splash pad.

“Although she is a right leg amputee, Jeanne loves to run around and play like any other five-year-old. She absolutely loves the splash pad and swimming. She gets so excited to go in the water, even if the weather’s bad! For this, Jeanne needs to wear an artificial limb that is waterproof. Her waterproof leg is also non-slip on wet surfaces, so there is less danger of her slipping and falling. Donations to The War Amps allow our daughter to have the artificial limbs that best meet her needs as a young child and allow her to be the active and happy little girl she is.”

Jacinthe and Étienne, Jeanne’s parents
A young male double leg amputee plays in the water at a splash pad.

“With his waterproof legs that were funded by The War Amps, our son Maddux is able to play in his grandparents’ pool during the summer along with his brothers and cousins. He can get in and out on his own, and he has so much fun. He absolutely loves playing in the water and the water legs have made this possible, as well as safe. Thank you for making it so that he doesn’t see himself as less able than anyone else. You have changed his life and allowed him to be the best he can be and enjoy life to the fullest.”

Jessica and Allan, Maddux’s parents
An adult female arm amputee looks in the mirror while applying lip gloss.
We support adult amputees by providing funding towards the cost of artificial limbs, resources and information about life as an amputee, and advocacy assistance for those who have encountered discrimination or red tape.

Our Work for Veterans

Giving a strong voice to veterans has been a cornerstone of The War Amps since 1918.

An adult male war amputee veteran stands in front of the National War Memorial on Remembrance Day.

Sgt. (Ret’d) Gaétan, a leg amputee, laid a wreath at the 2021 National Remembrance Day ceremony on behalf of The War Amps.

Despite continued challenges brought on by the pandemic, our work to demand legislative reform to ensure adequate support for Canada’s veterans and their families did not slow down. This was especially important in an election year like 2021. The War Amps continues to be the leader in advocating for veterans’ rights and legislation, as well as the driving force behind the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada (NCVA). The War Amps is represented on four of the six ministerial advisory groups to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), co-chairing two of these advisory committees.

In 2021, we continued to pressure the Government to apply a “one veteran, one standard” rule regarding benefits and pensions, which also applies to the unequal treatment of veteran caregivers. We advocated as a high priority the reduction of the backlog – and, therefore, wait times – in the processing of VAC benefits and entitlements. As well, we called for the elimination of the so-called “gold digger’s clause” in relation to the marriage after 60 pension provision that unfairly discriminates against certain veterans and their spouses.

Confronting the VAC backlog and wait-time crisis

One of the greatest concerns for the veterans’ community in 2021 remains the ongoing backlog and wait-time crisis for veterans making applications for disability pensions and health-care benefits. It is clear that VAC’s actions to increase staffing and digital resources have not been sufficient on their own to resolve this issue, and it is fully expected that the backlog will only get worse as more Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are medically released following the conclusion of the pandemic.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, The War Amps has made numerous submissions demanding systemic change to departmental adjudication and administration, directed to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and senior VAC officials, as well as undertaken media advocacy through op-eds and articles in the Hill Times, Esprit de Corps, The Canadian Press and more to bring awareness to this issue.

Our position remains: VAC should accept veterans’ claims at face value (as was done with emergency COVID-19 financial benefits), based on the reasonable evidence provided by the veteran and their family, with the proviso that individual files could be monitored over time and “spot audits” carried out to address any potential abuses.

At the end of last year, the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs released a report that accepted the majority of The War Amps and NCVA’s recommendations to relieve the crisis. The 2021 federal budget, brought down on April 19, 2021, proposed to provide $140 million over five years to address mental health-care while veterans’ disability benefits applications are being processed. Although this proposal does not fully adopt our favoured concept of automatic entitlement/pre-approval, it does provide a significant step forward in recognizing that treatment benefits should be granted immediately and not be dependent on the disability application process, which can take up to two years. It will be our continuing position that this approach should be applied to all physical disabilities so that veterans in serious need of health-care or treatment benefits are granted the same sense of priority.

Unfortunately, we were dismayed to learn that this sound budgetary proposal will not actually be implemented until April 2022, an entire year later. We believe that this should have been expedited to meet the need that was clearly articulated in Budget 2021. We also proposed that VAC should provide substantial funding to bolster the Veterans Emergency Fund to increase the maximum benefits per claim and to prioritize applications. While important, this should be seen by the Government as a stopgap measure and further hiring of staff and the enactment of fundamental systemic change to clear the backlog should be undertaken. As this initiative – and our crusade to end the backlog – develops, The War Amps will continue to press VAC and the Government to prioritize the needs of veterans.

Calling for change to veterans legislation

With the conclusion of the 2021 federal election, we believe an opportunity exists for the Government to commit to substantially improve veterans legislation to correct the discrimination suffered by disabled veterans and other groups since the enactment of the New Veterans Charter/Veterans Well-being Act (NVC/VWA) in 2006. Currently, the financial compensation available to disabled veterans and their families under the NVC/VWA differs from the compensation under the traditional Pension Act, which has led to newer veterans receiving much less support.

The War Amps continues to advocate through the media and submissions to the Government to urge VAC to create a comprehensive program model that would treat all veterans with parallel disabilities in the same way as to the application of benefits and wellness policies. The “one veteran, one standard” approach provides fairness to all veterans in Canada and acknowledges the financial assistance needed, whether they were injured before or after the arbitrary cut-off of 2006.

In this vein, we advocated for another troubling aspect of current veterans legislation, the “marriage after 60” clause, through our NCVA Legislative Program and media interviews with Brian Forbes, Chairman of The War Amps Executive Committee and of NCVA. As it stands, CAF retirees contribute to the Canadian Forces Superannuation account throughout their career, and one of the important benefits is a 50 per cent Survivor’s Benefit, except in the cases where a retiree marries after age 60. The 2015 Liberal election platform indicated this clawback would be removed as a firm government commitment. The 2019 federal budget vowed that a Veterans Survivors Fund program would be implemented but, so far, it has failed to materialize to remedy this long-standing grievance. We will continue to monitor the operation of the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act to ensure that the interests of veterans are protected and that the infamous “gold digger’s clause” is eliminated once and for all.

A major step forward for veteran caregivers

An Afghanistan war amputee veteran sits on an exercise ball while lifting weights at a gym.

Afghanistan war amputee Maj. Blaise

In June, the House of Commons Veterans Affairs Committee released its report on veteran caregivers – who are often family members, especially spouses – and passed it to the House for Parliament’s consideration. In our view, the recommendations in the report represent a potential major step towards fixing the insufficient and inequitable treatment of veteran caregivers by VAC since the passing of the New Veterans Charter. We were also pleased that our recommendations had been fully adopted by the committee’s report in relation to replacing the highly inadequate Caregiver Recognition Benefit through the incorporation of the Attendance Allowance eligibility rules (Pension Act) and the more generous Department of National Defence Attendant Care Benefit provisions.

As with other issues mentioned previously, the Government should follow a “one veteran, one standard” approach by adopting a comprehensive program model for all veteran caregivers, thereby resulting in the elimination of artificial cut-off dates that distinguish veterans and their caregivers based on whether the veteran was injured before or after 2006.

Unfortunately, when Parliament was dissolved for the election the Government had not taken appropriate action to implement the salient recommendations of the Standing Committee. We will continue to follow this issue as it unfolds and advocate for the much needed and deserved equal benefits for all veteran caregivers.

Your Story

“I would like to commend The War Amps for mailing key tags for my husband and myself in the same envelope to save on postage. It’s always a pleasure to know that charities take good care of the money entrusted to them.”

Joan

Advocating for All Amputees

The War Amps advocates for the rights and interests of all amputees and provides vital amputation awareness education.

A senior male leg amputee stands beside his wife outside.

Adult amputee Claude and his wife

A senior male leg amputee stands beside his wife outside.

Adult amputee Claude and his wife

One of the biggest issues facing amputees across the country is a lack of understanding about the reality of living with amputation and prosthetic care. The War Amps provides a voice for all amputees in Canada and works on behalf of individual amputees who have encountered discrimination or red tape in accessing appropriate amputee care, important financial benefits and/or legal rights. We want to ensure that amputees have the essential artificial limbs they need to live independent and active lives, and our donors play a significant role in supporting this mandate.

This year, amidst the pandemic, we continued to provide essential advocacy support for amputees, as well as education about living with amputation to insurers and government agencies.

Affecting change in the insurance industry

In 2021, we worked with more than a dozen amputees who were experiencing unwarranted denials from their insurance companies for artificial limbs. One case involved a 19-year-old amputee who lost one of their legs above the knee at a young age due to cancer. This young amputee’s prosthetic clinic contacted The War Amps for assistance after having issues with their patient’s insurance provider. According to this amputee’s benefits coverage, their new artificial leg should have been covered at 80 per cent of the total amount, but the insurance provider refused to pay even a single dollar of the almost $48,000 limb.

Our Advocacy Program drafted a letter to the insurance provider to seek clarification on the coverage and to advocate for the claim to be paid, as stated in the company’s benefits information. Following this letter, we were pleased to receive word that the insurance provider agreed to pay the stated 80 per cent cost. This young amputee’s prosthetic clinic wrote to us to say thank you and share that they believe The War Amps involvement convinced the insurance company to pay out with no further issues. By educating insurers in this way, it creates a precedent and paves the way forward for other amputees to have their medically prescribed artificial limbs rightfully covered.

Working to improve the licensing process for amputees

In the summer, The War Amps was made aware of a 16-year-old below-elbow amputee in Ontario who was denied the opportunity to take their G1 licence test, which is a written knowledge test that is the first step towards obtaining a driver’s licence. They were told that, because they are an amputee, they must get special medical approval from the province. After waiting six weeks for the approval, they were told they actually did not need to obtain it – though, confusingly, the province later changed their answer to say it was needed. The young amputee spoke to the media about the lack of information for people with disabilities on the province’s website and the conflicting messages they were receiving.

The War Amps became involved and submitted a letter to the provincial Ministry of Transportation to address the absence of information on their website and make clear that this prevents amputees from obtaining their licence without discrimination and barriers. The province later reached out to inform us that they are now updating the website to make it more clear for people with disabilities. Additionally, during a phone call with the province, they expressed interest in sharing their draft website content with The War Amps to obtain our feedback. This is a very positive step forward for amputees in Ontario, and we hope other provinces follow suit.

Supporting those in need

The War Amps believes that no one should have to make the choice between paying their rent and being able to walk. Unfortunately, this is sometimes the reality presented to amputees due to outdated and restrictive provincial and private insurance coverage for artificial limbs. As part of our mission to improve the quality of life for amputees, we consider special cases of extreme financial hardship. In 2021, we provided support to 102 amputees above and beyond our standard contribution for their prosthetic needs.

One case of note is a 33-year-old amputee who lost their left leg below the knee in an accident. They needed a new artificial limb due to their current one causing skin issues and pain, which prevented them from working at their job that required standing for long periods of time. Unfortunately, this amputee did not have private insurance, and their provincial medical plan would not provide any assistance. The War Amps reviewed this case, and we were able to fund $10,000 towards the cost of their artificial leg, helping them be able to work again.

We also provided assistance to a 67-year-old amputee with a below-knee amputation. They were unable to bathe on their own due to their amputation and medical issues leading to decreased balance and strength, which made personal hygiene very difficult. Our Advocacy Program assessed their request and approved $1,600 in funding towards an aquatic reclining bath lift. This amputee was very thankful and told us that they were now able to bathe safely.

Your Story

“We lost a set of keys that were very important. We never lost faith that some kind person would put them in a mailbox – and, voila, they were returned! We’ve been telling everyone we know about your service and how you came through for us.”

Todd and Diane

The War Amps Key Tag Service

Our Key Tag Service employees, many of whom are people with disabilities, help reunite Canadians with their lost keys.

A set of keys with a War Amps key tag attached. Order key tags.
A set of keys with a War Amps key tag attached. Order key tags.

Since 1946, The War Amps has operated our Key Tag Service, which was launched to create jobs for war amputees and generate funds for the Association by providing a valuable lost key return service to the public. Today, our sheltered workshop employs many people with disabilities and has returned more than 1.5 million sets of lost keys to grateful Canadians.

In 2021, we continued to implement safety precautions in the workplace in accordance with provincial public health guidelines. We were once again able to operate without any staff job loss due to the pandemic, nor disruption to the key return service.

Our impact

We have heard from many thankful people over the years who expressed gratitude after their lost keys were returned by The War Amps. Patricia, a supporter of the Key Tag Service, wrote to us in January 2021 about her key being returned – the day she lost it!

“I wanted to thank you for your key return service. I received a voicemail from The War Amps about a lost key on December 23 and, at first, I thought it was a mistake because I had my keys with me. However, I discovered that I had lost my emergency key. I called back and, sure enough, The War Amps told me my emergency key had been found at a spot I had been for just a few minutes that day.

“The gentleman who found it called The War Amps rather than waiting or putting it in the mail because he thought I would worry about it over Christmas. There are kind people in this world. I picked it up that very same day and was so happy. Thank you so much!”

Patricia
Two teenage females, one an arm amputee and one a hand amputee, stand in front of a pond and take a selfie.
Peer support is crucial to fostering the positive attitude young amputees need to overcome challenges. CHAMP provides a network of support to child amputees and their families.

Fostering Peer Connections

A young male arm amputee holds the poppy he made during a virtual poppy-making event. A young male arm amputee gives a thumbs-up and holds the poppy he made during a virtual poppy-making event.

Champs Nathan (left) and Zakary (right) participated in a War Amps virtual poppy-making event with other child amputees in honour of Remembrance Day.

To prioritize the health and safety of our amputee members, we pivoted again this year to continue offering online opportunities for child amputees and their parents to connect with each other and with us. A new initiative was created to emphasize that child amputees and their families could reach us for support every day through virtual sessions, one-on-one video calls, and phone and email support.

Staying connected

To fill the gap that our in-person, regional CHAMP seminars provided, we held more than 30 virtual sessions for Champs and their families. Many Champs find that they are the only amputee in their community, and the peer support that comes with face-to-face interaction with others “just like me” is important. We organized virtual sessions on various topics, including for new families, amputation-level-specific information (for lower limb, upper limb, partial hand and multiple amputees) and get-togethers to learn, play games and share experiences.

We continued to focus on welcoming families new to amputation, whether through the recent birth of a child with an amputation or a new enrolment due to an accident or illness, with personal phone and video calls from our experienced amputee staff, who are all graduates of our CHAMP Program.

A young male arm amputee holds the poppy he made during a virtual poppy-making event. A young male arm amputee gives a thumbs-up and holds the poppy he made during a virtual poppy-making event.

Champs Nathan (left) and Zakary (right) participated in a War Amps virtual poppy-making event with other child amputees in honour of Remembrance Day.

Your Story

“The War Amps came through for me this year. I lost my extra set of car keys while out shopping, and that evening I received a call from you saying where I could pick them up. What great news! I was always inspired by the work you do for all the children who have lost limbs. Thanks for your great service.”

Vivian

Community Outreach

A CHAMP Graduate shared the important PLAYSAFE message of farm safety.

An adult male with a shoulder disarticulation stands in front of a grain auger and a tractor.

The War Amps safety video, PLAYSAFE: Dangers on the Farm, and other downloadable educational resources can be found here.

One moment of play in the wrong place can change a child’s life – that is why The War Amps PLAYSAFETM Program aims to make children more aware of the dangers in their play environments. Amputations due to avoidable farm accidents continue to result in enrolments in our CHAMP Program. As an organization, we have shared our PLAYSAFE message for decades, and in 2021, we launched a safety awareness project focusing on farm safety.

CHAMP Graduate and Regional Representative for Manitoba Merrill Loeppky shared his story with news outlets across the country to remind children to PLAYSAFE on the farm. At only three years old, Merrill got too close to a grain auger at his family farm and lost his right arm at the shoulder.

“It’s important that families and educators help make kids aware of the dangers on the farm. Kids should never be near grain augers, tractors, lawn mowers or other ‘mean machines’; accidents can happen in a split second. I hope my story will prevent even just one child from being injured.”

CHAMP Graduate and Regional Representative for Manitoba Merrill Loeppky, who lost his arm in a grain auger accident
An adult male leg amputee sits on a chair and explains his artificial limb while giving a virtual presentation. An adult female hand amputee demonstrates her artificial limb while giving a virtual presentation.

Director, Programs and Community Outreach (Quebec) Louis Bourassa and War Amps staff Isabelle Vermette

Our public awareness staff reached schools and community groups during the pandemic through virtual presentations.

With schools across the country operating under different in-person or online learning models, it created a challenge for The War Amps usual in-person school presentations. To ensure that our vital PLAYSAFE and amputation awareness messages continued to be shared, our public awareness staff set up virtual presentations with schools and community groups, incorporating the artificial limbs and other demonstrations from in-person presentations. We received insightful questions and positive feedback from the students, educators and groups involved amidst these challenging circumstances.

An adult male leg amputee sits on a chair and explains his artificial limb while giving a virtual presentation. An adult female hand amputee demonstrates her artificial limb while giving a virtual presentation.

Director, Programs and Community Outreach (Quebec) Louis Bourassa and War Amps staff Isabelle Vermette

Child amputees across the country honoured the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers and veterans.

A young female leg amputee stands beside a cenotaph and is holding a white rose.

Many remembrance events that were cancelled or online in 2020 were happening in person this year and dozens of Champs took up the call to commemorate our veterans and fallen soldiers. Child amputees have a special connection to remembrance activities – the amputee veterans who founded The War Amps also started the CHAMP Program in 1975. Through The War Amps Operation Legacy, this year Champs participated in wreath and white rose layings and observed moments of silence at their local cenotaphs or military cemeteries.

A young male arm amputee stands in front of Remembrance Day wreaths at a cenotaph.

Financials

The War Amps is funded by donations to the Key Tag Service. It does not receive government grants. For more than 100 years, we have served amputees and continue to support them by providing much-needed funding for artificial limbs, peer support and a strong organization to advocate for their rights.

Public support of the Key Tag Service enables the Association to continue to operate its many programs.

A young male with a Syme’s amputation smiles big while seated on a swing.

As part of The War Amps commitment to being accountable to our donors, we are pleased to provide you with our Essential Financial Information. The intent of this financial summary is to provide the most valuable data for our donors in terms of explaining our programs and how their money is being spent.

The War Amps has a unique structure within the charitable field. In 1946, the Key Tag Service was launched to provide employment for returning amputee veterans from the Second World War. This service was recognized as a sheltered workshop at that time. Throughout the intervening years, hundreds of Canadians with disabilities have worked at the Key Tag Service, which continues today. Employees at the Key Tag Service make competitive wages and help provide a service to Canadians that generates funds for the Association.

All of this detailed financial information is provided in our annual filing of form T3010, which is available to the public on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website. Our full, audited financial statement is also available.

The War Amps 2020 financial statements are prepared and audited by Kelly Huibers McNeely Professional Corporation Chartered Professional Accountants. They also prepare our annual filing of the T3010 government return.

We are continually evaluating how we present our financial information in order to ensure that we provide our donors with the facts they need to make a well-informed decision.

The War Amps is proud of its history and the programs and services we offer to amputees. Public support of the Key Tag Service, which has returned more than 1.5 million sets of lost keys, enables the Association to continue to operate its many programs for amputees of all ages, including war amputees and seriously disabled veterans.

Statement of Revenue and Expense

for the year ended December 31, 2020

Revenue
Donations (Net) $19,257,477
Bequests 6,143,153
Interest and Other 2,558,063
Revenue total $27,958,693
Expense
Adult Amputee Program $3,333,318
CHAMP Program 6,339,947
DRIVESAFE™ Program 96,999
PLAYSAFE™ Program 2,130,234
Prosthetics, Research and Education 402,490
Service Bureau 2,272,013
Veterans Issues – Special 582,726
Widows Assistance Program 372,541
Other Charitable Programs 550,441
Administrative 171,464
Expense total $16,252,173
Excess of Revenue Over Expense
(Expense Over Revenue) $11,706,520

Balance Sheet

as at December 31, 2020

Assets
Cash and Term Deposits (See Note 1) $52,791,609
Property and Equipment 7,620,556
Assets Held for Pension Liability 7,488,265
Other Assets 1,348,115
Assets total $69,248,545
Liabilities
Accounts Payable $4,119,239
Pension Liability 5,882,083
Liabilities total $10,001,322
Equity
Equity in Property Equipment $7,620,556
Appropriated Equity (See Note 2) 42,560,000
Unappropriated Net Assets (Deficiency of Net Assets)
8,908,257
Externally Restricted for Endowment Purposes 158,410
Equity total $59,247,223
Assets, Liabilities, and Equity total $69,248,545

Notes to Financial Statements

for the year ended December 31, 2020

  1. Cash and Term Deposits

    The Association receives a significant portion of its funding immediately prior to the year-end. These funds are used to finance the operations of its charitable activities in the ensuing year.

  2. Appropriated Equity

    CHAMP Program $42,500,000
    Survivors’ Subsistence Grants 60,000
    Appropriated Equity total $42,560,000

    The National Board of Directors has approved appropriations to:

    1. Provide for long‑term commitments made on behalf of children enrolled in the Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program.
    2. Provide survivors’ subsistence grants of $2,000 per member on the death of an active member and $1,000 on the death of the spouse. Payment of these grants is at the discretion of the Association on the basis of need.

Due to changes in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles adopted by Chartered Professional Accountants Canada, prior years’ statements have been adjusted to reflect these changes.

Looking Ahead

A young adult male double leg amputee stands with his arm around an adult male who has a bilateral Syme’s amputation.

Champ Graduate Matthew and Regional Representative for Nova Scotia Tim Verney at a CHAMP Seminar in 2019

A young adult male double leg amputee stands with his arm around an adult male who has a bilateral Syme’s amputation.

Champ Graduate Matthew and Regional Representative for Nova Scotia Tim Verney at a CHAMP Seminar in 2019

The War Amps has been continued under the Canada Not‑for‑profit Corporations Act and is registered as a charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Since 1918, The War Amps has met the needs of war amputees. Today, the Association continues to serve them, and all Canadian amputees, including children and adults. As part of our ongoing operational/continuation plan, our Regional Representatives – all CHAMP graduates who have actively participated in Association initiatives throughout their lives – will play an important role as part of our governance structure. Their involvement will further the legacy of the war amputees who originally founded the Association and established the essential charitable programs that have successfully evolved over the years.

With so many charities to choose from, we do not take your support for granted. Having the support of our donors means that we can continue to provide amputees with essential artificial limbs, meaningful connections to other amputees, advocacy support, educational resources and so much more.

All of this would not be possible without you. We know that the past two years have been challenging due to the pandemic, and we cannot thank you enough for helping to ease the burden for amputees and their families. We look forward to carrying on our programs and services and to find new and innovative ways to best serve the needs of all amputees, now and in the future.

Governance

Executive Committee

Brian N. Forbes, B.Comm., LL.B.

Chairman, Executive Committee

David Saunders, CPA, CA

Chief Operating Officer

Executive Subcommittee

Danita Chisholm

Executive Director, Communications and CHAMP Program

Lorraine Cornelius

Executive Director, Public Awareness

Darlene Quesnel

Executive Director, Internal Operations

Quebec Operations

Louis Bourassa

Director, Programs and Community Outreach (Quebec)

Yardley Sandaire

Director, Internal Operations (Quebec)


Regional Representatives

Tara Klippert

(Yukon and the North)

Selena Smakal

(British Columbia)

Jennah Stavroff

(British Columbia)

Lisa DeJong

(Alberta)

Liz Gareau

(Alberta)

Annae Jones

(Alberta)

Chris Koch

(Alberta)

Angie Ducharme-Johnson

(Saskatchewan)

Leanne Holtvogt

(Saskatchewan)

Merrill Loeppky

(Manitoba)

John Van Massenhoven

(Manitoba)

Kevin Delaney

(Ontario)

Christine McMaster

(Ontario)

Denise Swedlo

(Ontario)

Caroline Viau

(Quebec)

Stephen Hann

(Prince Edward Island)

Justin Belliveau

(New Brunswick)

Tim Verney

(Nova Scotia)

Shelley Churchill

(Newfoundland and Labrador)

Donor Recognition

The War Amps many programs and services are made possible by the support of our donors; we do not receive government grants. We would like to gratefully recognize some of our donors from 2021 whose support helped improve the lives of amputees across Canada.

Foundations

Akira and Misae Masuda Fund at Calgary Foundation

Allen Family Foundation

Angbar Construction and Development Limited

Arbor Memorial Foundation

The Awkaf Foundation

Bates Family Foundation

Betty and Chris Wansbrough Family Foundation at Toronto Foundation

The Bill and Randee Duncan Fund

Blair Sharpe

Boag Foundation Ltd.

Choi Family Foundation Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation

The Colchester Fund within Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation

David & Patricia Dick

Donald & Johanna Harrison

Donald & Sheila Bayne

Donna MacLean War Amp Fund through Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta

The Doris & Les French Foundation

The Doris Tanner Pimm Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation

Elizabeth Downing

Engelite Foundation at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto

Evert Bakker

The Faulkner Family Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation

Galt Family Foundation – Benefaction

Get IN Project at Toronto Foundation

Graham & Darlene Cameron Foundation

Grant & Lilly Hopcroft Fund

The Higgins Family Fund at Ottawa Community Foundation

Jacob and Sandra Silberberg Family Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation

The Jean & Gerry Starring Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation

Jim Bertram & Bonnie Foster

Joan Norman

The Joe & Nancy Thompson Family Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation

Judy Palmer

LIR Endowment Fund at Calgary Foundation

Marisue Miller

Meir Rotenberg & Sharon Wolfe Family Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto

The Pindoff Family Charitable Foundation

The Ralph & Gay Young Family Capital Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation

Rich and Linda Kathleen Simons Fund, held at Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation

R&K Fund at the Niagara Community Foundation

Ross McBain Charitable Gift Fund

Rudi & Sylvia Hoenson Foundation through the Victoria Foundation

Ruthie Ladovsky Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto

Sharron Hatton

Sheila Rowand

Van Brunt Family Charitable Gift Foundation

Viewpoint Foundation

Wayne P. MacDonald Human Fund

Corporations

2611786 Ontario Inc. (Beach Inc.)

2706239 Ontario Ltd.

Aimco Solrec Limited

Allstate Canada Group

AMAPCEO

ANL Metering Services Inc.

Annar Holdings Inc.

Arbtitrage Marcel Morin Inc.

Avanti Freight Services

Barber Prosthetics Clinic

Bayview Escarpment Fine Furniture

BG Farm & Flight Centre

Black Cat Espresso Bar Inc.

Bonnechere Haven Farms

CASA PM Solutions Inc.

Charles G. Turner & Assoc. Ltd.

Concord Paving

DCAD Consulting Group Inc.

Dr. Francois Bertrand, MDCM, Inc.

Dr. Hilary L Clark Dental Prof Corp.

Dr. Stephen Curry Medicine Incorporated

Emerald Technology Group Inc.

Everyday Printer Solutions

Fast123

Gestion Qualtech

Glenn Antony Ives Professional Corp.

Global Repair Ltd.

Huntsville Wine & Beer

Husky Farm Equipment Limited

Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc.

KaraOne Ltd.

KBC

Kim King REMAX

Leland Industries

Les Entreprises de Lavage G R

Les Investissements Chadda Inc.

Meerkats Inc.

National Steelcar Ltd.

New Air Duct Service Limited

NG Services

Norgarden Estates Inc.

Phair Books Inc.

ProElite Athletics

Rachel Bourque MD Inc.

Reliance Production Optimization

Riverbend Campground

Road King Contracting Inc.

Sahil Gupta MPC

Trimtech Industries

Waterhouse Executive Search

West End Radiators

Community Groups

Corvette Club London ON

Defenders Chapter 11

Korean Veterans Association

Order of the Eastern Star

Order of the Eastern Star Ada Chapter

RCMP Veterans Association

Royal Canadian Legion of PEI