Anavets
| ANAVETS | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1840 |
| Country | Canadian |
| Type | non-profit (veterans organization) |
| Role | service organization |
| Patron | Elizabeth II, |
The Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization (veterans' organization) founded in 1840, with more than 18,000 members throughout Canada. Membership includes people who have served as military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of members and also affiliated members. The ANAVETS club also accepts membership from any person who is interested.
With the formation date being lost to time, the organization quotes 1840 as an approximate date of foundation. It is known that in 1840 Queen Victoria gave a charter to create an ANAVETS unit in Montreal. But units may have dated to as early as the Conquest of New France in the 1700s.
The name of the organization was derived from the remnants of British and French regiments who stayed behind when they were recalled at the end of their tours of duty to protect the colonies. To exchange information on service benefits and to fraternize, the men organized. They called themselves "the Army Veterans in Canada" to distinguish themselves from other colonies. This reference to Canada became integral as incorporated by the Government of Canada in 1917
After the War of 1812, sailors from the Royal Navy who remained in Canada joined with the Army Veterans and the name was changed to the Army and Navy Veterans in Canada.
During the Second World War, the organization welcomed members of the newly formed air force. The name was again changed by an amendment to the Act of Incorporation, by Parliament in 1946 to the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada. ANAVETS has become an acceptable short form to identify the organization.
ANAVETS has a three-tier system that follows the political system of Canada. At the federal level, Dominion Command is located in Ottawa. This is the Headquarters of the organization and it oversees all units. At the provincial level British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia have respective Provincial Commands which preside over the provincial activities of their units. Also on the unit level, each unit is run by an elected Executive Council.
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