ETB Reform — News & Updates

Follow the progress of House of Commons e-petition e-7846, parliamentary and government developments affecting the Education and Training Benefit, and updates to the case for reform.

Building the case for ETB reform

http://ETBReform.ca was created to advance six practical reforms to Veterans Affairs Canada’s Education and Training Benefit.

The proposal is based on a review of the Veterans Well-being Act and Regulations, VAC’s published ETB policies and applicant guidance, and VAC’s own evaluation of the program. That review identified several areas where the rules governing the ETB can limit a Veteran’s practical ability to use the benefit, as well as concerns about how the current service thresholds recognize qualifying military service.

House of Commons e-petition e-7846 is now open for signatures

House of Commons e-petition e-7846 was published on October 7, 2026 and is now open for public signatures.

The petition calls on the Government of Canada to adopt six reforms to the Education and Training Benefit addressing access to education and training, family portability, taxation, application timing, rehabilitation-related eligibility time, and recognition of qualifying military service.

Canadian citizens and residents can sign e-7846 through the official House of Commons petitions website. The petition will remain open for signatures for 120 days.

News & Updates

September 2026 — Proposal shared with ACVA ahead of skills-transferability study
September 14 — ETBReform.ca launched
September 25 — ETB reform concerns referred within government
October 5 — e-7846 submitted
October 5 — Sponsorship secured
October 6 — Required five initial supporters confirmed
October 6 — MP authorization received and Clerk examination passed
October 7 — e-7846 published and opened for signatures

September 14, 2026 -

- ETBReform.ca launched

ETBReform.ca has launched to present the proposed six-part reform package, supporting evidence, and proposed House of Commons e-petition.

September 15 to 20, 2026;

- ETB reform proposal shared with Veterans Affairs Committee members

ETBReform.ca and the supporting case for reform were shared with members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) in advance of the Committee’s study on skills transferability and the transition from military to civilian employment.

The material highlighted barriers within the current Education and Training Benefit, including access to technical, vocational and industry-recognized training, recognition of existing military skills, and the ability to translate military experience into civilian education and employment opportunities.

September 25, 2026;

ETB reform concerns referred within government

The reform proposal has also been raised with the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister. The Minister's office advised that the correspondence had been referred to senior departmental officials for follow-up. The Prime Minister's Office subsequently advised that it had separately forwarded the correspondence to the Minister of Veterans Affairs for her information and consideration.

October 5, 2026; 

- e-7846 submitted

Petition e-7846 was submitted to the House of Commons e-petition system on October 5, beginning the required initial supporter, sponsorship and parliamentary review process.

- Sponsorship secured

Scott Reid, Member of Parliament for Lanark-Frontenac, has agreed to sponsor e-petition e-7846. His office also assisted in reviewing the petition wording against the House of Commons e-petition requirements.

 

October 6, 2026;

- Required initial support received

House of Commons e-petition e-7846 received the required support of five initial supporters, completing the first stage of the parliamentary e-petition process.


- MP authorization and Clerk examination completed

MP Scott Reid formally authorized e-7846 for publication on October 6.

The petition was subsequently examined by the Clerk of Petitions and found to meet the House of Commons standards for form and content. It then proceeded to translation and preparation for publication.

- ETB reform material raised in connection with ACVA's skills-transferability study

Following correspondence concerning the ETB reform proposal, Veterans Affairs Committee member Zoe Royer advised that ACVA was beginning its study on skills transferability and that the timing of the proposal was helpful to that work.

Ms. Royer advised that she would share the correspondence with the Committee Chair and her Committee colleagues and flag it for the Committee analyst as the study proceeds.


October 7, 2026;
House of Commons e-petition e-7846 has been published and is now open for signatures.

The House of Commons confirmed on October 7 that e-7846 had completed the publication process and opened for public signatures.

The petition asks the Government of Canada to reform the Education and Training Benefit through six changes addressing access to education and training, family portability, taxation, application timing, rehabilitation-related eligibility time, and more proportional recognition of qualifying military service.

Canadian citizens and residents can now sign the petition through the official House of Commons e-petition system.

e-7846 will remain open for signatures for 120 days.