Broken Contract: Why Veterans Affairs Is Failing the People Who Fought for Canada

Broken Contract: Why Veterans Affairs Is Failing the People Who Fought for Canada

Author: David Morrow April 27, 2026 Duration: 31:44

I went to Ottawa and said what needed to be said.


I'm part of the 0.01% — the fraction of Canadians who have actively engaged in combat. I fought for this country in Afghanistan. I did the dirty work. And when I came home and needed help, the system that was supposed to catch me wasn't there.

If you're fed up with not being heard head to my site and join the mailing list. I don't know what to do next but at least you'll know about it first: https://hardtokill.org/


Read the full speech that I didn't read in Ottawa: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oq15-UbPDmQUJxSseSxOwa2YW_my_g9DseY1UMj7_f0/edit?usp=sharing


In this testimony before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, I break down exactly what's broken with Veterans Affairs Canada and the PCVRS rehabilitation program — a contract farmed out to an American private equity firm that has no business managing the care of Canadian war fighters.


I talk about:


The language gap between military culture and government bureaucracy

Why the current model of care is emasculating and ineffective

The critical link between physical health and mental health recovery

What a real, veteran-led rehabilitation program actually looks like

Why I have zero confidence in VAC's so-called "independent" review

What needs to change — and why veterans have to lead that fight themselves

This isn't a complaint. This is a call to action.


We are under-recovered, not broken. And until the government starts listening to the people it's mandated to serve, nothing will change.


If you're a veteran, share this. Talk to your friends. Put your boots back on.


The fight isn't over — it just moved here.


🎙️ Follow my podcast for more conversations on veteran recovery, fitness, and advocacy.


You find conversations that matter on The Hard To Kill Podcast with Dave Morrow. Host Dave Morrow-a veteran and biochemist himself-doesn’t shy away from the difficult topics that shape our lives, from physical health and mental resilience to the societal structures that often hold us back. Each episode brings you unfiltered dialogue with guests who have been tested in extraordinary ways: special operations soldiers, unconventional researchers, and individuals who have faced profound personal trauma. The discussions are raw and direct, focusing on practical wisdom over theory. This isn't about easy answers or surface-level advice. Instead, you'll hear deep explorations into nutrition, fitness, and the mindset required to navigate a complex world. Morrow’s background allows him to bridge the gap between hard science and lived experience, asking the questions that get to the core of what it means to be strong, healthy, and free. If you're tired of polished, scripted content and want substance from people who have earned their perspective, this podcast provides that space. It’s a resource for anyone committed to genuine self-improvement and understanding the interconnected nature of our physical and mental well-being. The goal is to equip you with insights that are both actionable and profound, drawn from the hardest lessons learned.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Hard To Kill Podcast with Dave Morrow
Podcast Episodes
Controversial Afghan War Memorial - Where Were The Afghan Veterans? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:01
Dave Morrow, a Canadian Afghan War veteran, delivers a raw, unfiltered critique of Ottawa's Afghan War Memorial groundbreaking ceremony — calling out the exclusion of combat veterans, the politically driven design change…
Five Steps to Veteran Health Transformation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:53
As a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, I've seen firsthand the harsh realities our service members face. It's concerning to see Veterans Affairs prioritize private equity over true rehabilitation, sometimes even offering le…
BOMBSHELL REPORT: Canada Has Ignored This for 50 Years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:56
In this episode, I break down Veterans Affairs Canada’s committee report on veteran suicide and argue Canada has known for decades that veterans face elevated suicide risk but has failed to act or even properly track dea…
My Testimony at the Veterans Affairs Canada Standing Committee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:26
I sat in a committee hearing and testified about my experience as a veteran entrepreneur and what can be done to improve the "vetrepreneur" landscape. The reality is we're not even on the radar in Canada. There's lots of…
Why veterans are choosing this BJJ retreat over therapy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:11
Find out more about the BJJ retreat for veterans at Becoming Om: https://www.instagram.com/becoming.om/ Discover how I've used BJJ to heal and how to get VAC to pay for it by joining my free veteran community: https://ww…
Healthy AF Workshop - Build Your Healthy AF Plan for 2026 with Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:38
Are you overwhelmed by figuring out how to get healthier in 2026? Want to know if you're on the right track or just gain some clarity from a coach that's been there, done that? Listen to the workshop today and come join…
Do You Know How To Deliver a Baby? with Jess Arno [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:15
In this compelling episode, join Dave as he sits down with Jessica Arno, affectionately known as The Combat Midwife. Together, they delve into the often-overlooked world of out-of-hospital births and the critical role of…