Canadian veteran licence plates
In Canada, motor vehicle licence plates are issued by the transportation department in each province and territory. They honour veterans by issuing a special type of licence plate that is available only to veterans. Between 2002 and 2005, a trend struck the licence authorities which prompted them to issue veteran licence plates.[1] The only territory that does not have a veteran licence plate is Nunavut.[2] A common feature of these veteran licence plate is the image of a red poppy or the word "veteran" (or both).[3] Only veteran licence plates issued by the Northwest Territories do not have any of the features mentioned above.[2]
Introduction dates
| Province/Territory | Date of Introduction | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | February 15, 2005 | $5.00 |
| British Columbia | June 4, 2004 | $5.00 |
| Manitoba | November 5, 2004 | $5.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | September 2, 2003 | $5.00 |
| New Brunswick | November 1, 2003 | $5.00 |
| Northwest Territories | June 2004 | $5.00 |
| Nova Scotia | November 7, 2002 | $5.00 |
| Ontario | November 9, 2003 | $5.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | 2003 | $5.00 |
| Quebec | January 1, 2006 | $5.00 |
| Saskatchewan | November 10, 2004 | $5.00 |
| Yukon | November 10, 2004 | $5.00 |
Ontario
In Ontario, the Ministry of Transportation issued 27,000 veteran licence plates since 2003.[3] Veterans can order a special licence plate with the format "000 VET" for display or gift purposes.
Québec
As of the 4th of May 2009, Québec now offers a veteran motorcycle plate.
Alberta
In Alberta, 15,750 veteran licence plates have been issued since 2005.[4]
Appearance
| Province/Territory | Licence Plate Format | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | 123VAB | A red poppy superimposed onto a black and white photograph of a soldier on the left and the word "Veteran" on the top of the licence plate |
| Alberta | VAB 123 | A red poppy superimposed onto a red maple leaf on the left and the word "Veteran" at the bottom of the licence plate |
| Saskatchewan | V1234 | A red poppy superimposed onto a black and white photograph of a soldier's monument on the left and the word "Veteran" at the bottom of the licence plate |
| Manitoba | VAB 123 | A red poppy is in the middle of the gap between the alphanumeric and the word "Veteran" at the bottom of the licence plate |
| Ontario | 1V2345 | A red poppy and the word "Veteran" are on the left hand side of the licence plate |
| Quebec | 001 PAA through 999 PCZ (normal format) | A red poppy is in the middle of the gap between the alphanumeric |
| Nova Scotia | ABC12 | A Canadian flag on the left and the word "Veteran" at the bottom of the licence plate |
| New Brunswick | WA123 | A red poppy on the left and the word "Veteran" at the bottom of the licence plate |
| Prince Edward Island | VT1 234 | A red poppy superimposed onto the red maple leaf at the bottom left corner, a Canadian flag in the middle of the gap between the alphanumeric, and the word "Veteran" at the bottom of the licence plate |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | ABC 123 (normal format) | A Canadian flag and the word "Veteran" at the bottom of the licence plate. The HHB, HJL, HJM, HJN and HJO letter series are set aside for veteran plates. |
| Yukon | 1234 | A red poppy, the word "Veteran", and the phrase "Lest we forget" are on the right side of the licence plate |
| Northwest Territories | VET 123 | The border and the text of the licence plate is red (contrary to the normally blue licence plate) |
Eligibility
The licence plates are available to those who served in wartime as a member of Canadian Forces, the Commonwealth of Nations, or its wartime allies for at least three years. People who served on North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) missions, peacekeeping missions as members of the Canadian Forces or United Nations forces, or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are also eligible.[5] They need to provide a Canadian Forces Certificate of Service and a Canadian Forces Identification Card as proof of service. Those who have served three years (may still be serving) can also apply.
In Provinces where the Royal Canadian Legion oversees the eligibility for a veteran's plates (e.g. Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, etc...). a reserve members time served is calculated based on 'paid days of service'. In provinces where eligibility is not determined by the Royal Canadian Legion (e.g. British Columbia & Manitoba), the 'three years' is calculated based a former reserve members span of service.
In British Columbia, veterans who operate trucks, vans, and motorcycle are also eligible to obtain a veteran licence plate in that province.[6]
References
- 1 2 "Veteran Licence Plates from across Canada". Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- 1 2 A. Knight. "Canada's Licence Plates". Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- 1 2 "Ontario Honours Veterans". Government of Ontario. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ↑ Jason Markusoff. "Albertans asked about licence plates". The Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ↑ "Veteran Plate Eligibility Certification". Ministry of Transportation, Government of Ontario. 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
- ↑ "Veterans' Licence Plate Program Expanded". Government of British Columbia. 2004-11-05. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
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