Ottawa is home to tens of thousands of Canadian Armed Forces veterans, and many of them are only now beginning to feel the full weight of their years of service.
Military service can leave marks that don't show up right away. While broken bones and immediate injuries are hard to miss, many of the most serious health conditions linked to service develop slowly — sometimes taking two or three decades to become apparent. For veterans in the National Capital Region, understanding these long-term risks is an important step toward getting proper care.
Toxic Exposure: A Slow-Moving Crisis
One of the most well-documented long-term threats is toxic exposure. Canadian soldiers who served overseas may have been exposed to burn pits — open-air waste fires used on military bases that released clouds of toxic smoke. Prolonged exposure has been linked to rare cancers, chronic respiratory disease, and neurological disorders.
Veterans who worked with certain chemicals, fuels, or solvents during their careers face similar risks. These conditions can lie dormant for years before symptoms begin to appear, which is why many veterans don't connect the dots until much later in life.
The Physical Toll Adds Up
Years of carrying heavy gear, operating in extreme temperatures, and enduring physically demanding training take a serious toll on the body. Many veterans develop musculoskeletal problems — chronic joint pain, spinal issues, and early-onset arthritis — that worsen with age.
Hearing loss is another common and often overlooked consequence, caused by repeated exposure to loud explosions, aircraft engines, and firearms over the course of a career.
Mental Health: Still Being Understood
The mental health impacts of military service are increasingly recognized, but research continues to evolve. PTSD, depression, and anxiety are well-established risks for combat veterans. What's becoming clearer is that these conditions can also emerge years after service ends — sometimes triggered by retirement, relationship changes, or a new diagnosis.
Ottawa has several resources for veterans navigating mental health, including Veterans Affairs Canada offices and local peer support networks. Advocates say awareness, however, still lags behind the need.
What Ottawa Veterans Should Do
If you're a veteran in Ottawa or the surrounding region, a few steps can make a real difference:
- Keep detailed service records. Document your deployments, roles, and any chemical or environmental exposures. This is critical when applying for VAC disability benefits.
- Don't delay seeking care. Many conditions are easier to treat when caught early. Changes in breathing, energy, cognition, or mood are worth discussing with your doctor.
- Know your VAC benefits. Veterans Affairs Canada offers disability benefits, mental health programs, and rehabilitation support. Eligibility often requires connecting your condition to your service.
- Connect locally. The Royal Canadian Legion and Ottawa-area peer support organizations can help veterans navigate an often-complex system.
The long-term health effects of military service are real — and they deserve more attention from both the healthcare system and the public. Ottawa's veterans gave years of their lives in service; understanding the health risks they carry is part of honouring that commitment.
Source: Ottawa Life Magazine
