Manitoba Expands Eligibility for Veteran License Plates to Current Armed Forces Members

Changes in Manitoba now allow more individuals to display veteran license plates on their vehicles. Effective immediately, members currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and other military services can qualify for these specialized plates.

The amendments were made by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), in collaboration with the province and the Royal Canadian Legion. Previously, eligibility for the veteran designation required a minimum of three years of honorable service for members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The updated criteria now include not only current and former members of the armed forces and the RCMP but also peace officers serving in special duty areas. Those who have completed military training and received an honorable discharge also qualify.

According to MPI spokeswoman Tara Seel, the responsibility for determining future eligibility will now lie with the Royal Canadian Legion. “What we are doing is expanding the definition of veteran,” Seel stated. “We are handing this over to the Royal Canadian Legion because they’re the ones who know what a veteran is. They can be the gatekeepers for that.”

Since the program’s inception in November 2004, MPI has issued 5,680 veteran plates at no cost to eligible veterans. The new legislation also recognizes those who participated in wartime service in the Merchant Marine and Ferry Command as veterans.

RCMP Sgt. Major Bettina Schaible, responsible for maintaining the RCMP’s history and tradition, noted the significance of recognizing RCMP members as veterans. “The RCMP is not only Canada’s national police force, we are the only police force in the entire Commonwealth that is also a regiment,” she said. Members of the RCMP have served in conflicts ranging from the North West Canada in 1885, through both World Wars, to Afghanistan from 2003 to 2014. Furthermore, RCMP members receive support from Veterans Affairs Canada for service-related injuries or illnesses.

In addition to the recognition, applications for the veteran plates will suggest a contribution of $5 to the poppy fund to aid veterans, as stated by Cody Klassen, provincial services officer for the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion. The City of Winnipeg has also implemented policies allowing motorists with veteran plates to park free in areas with paid parking.

“The license plates are a symbol of pride for the person’s service,” Klassen remarked. “It lets people recognize they are a veteran and that they served their country.”

This initiative not only broadens the recognition of service members but also fosters a sense of pride within the community. By expanding eligibility, Manitoba aims to honor the diverse contributions of those who serve and have served in various capacities within the military and law enforcement.