SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Wayne Quinn, M.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.

Honourable senators, on March 21, 64 individuals received the Governor General’s distinguished Meritorious Service Decorations for their exceptional contributions to Canada. The decorations were created by the late Queen Elizabeth II to recognize Canadians for exceptional services rendered to their country, and it is one of the highest honours that a Canadian can receive.

The awards recognize innovation and leadership in a variety of fields, from advocacy initiatives and health care services to research and humanitarian efforts.

One of those 64 recipients is from my province, New Brunswick: Mr. Wayne Quinn was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service in the Canadian Armed Forces. He adds this achievement to an already impressive resumé, which includes the Order of Military Merit and the Canadian Forces’ Decoration. Wayne hails from Miramichi and has served with the Canadian Armed Forces as an operations officer since 2007.

As part of his commitment to facilitating easier access to and delivery of services and programs, Mr. Quinn has significantly contributed to the launch of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group. He continues to lead, train and mentor service delivery staff across the country in support of Canadian Armed Forces members.

The mission of the transition group is to deliver personalized, professional and standardized services to Canadian Armed Forces members and their families, hopefully to enable a seamless transition to post-military life, with special attention provided to ill and injured individuals and their families, and the families of deceased members.

The transition group is based in Ottawa, with 9 regional transition units and 27 transition centres located across the country. These are intended to be integrated one-stop centres where CAF members and their families are aided with transition, release and various Veterans Affairs services, as well as provided support for mental and physical health for the ill and injured service members and their families as they transition to civilian life after military service.

The transition group employs a humanistic approach in supporting members and families. A key dimension of this approach is to ensure wellness along seven domains of well‑being during the transition. Those seven domains of well‑being are purpose, finances, health, social integration, life skills, housing and physical environment, and cultural and social environment.

Honourable senators, please join me in congratulating Mr. Quinn on receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding achievements in providing service to military members and their families. Thank you.