Compassion For Combatants

Valerie Noftle uses photography to support homeless veterans.

- Andrew Duffy

AS A CIVILIAN MEMBER of the Department of National Defence in Ottawa, Valerie Noftle worked to assist Canadian soldiers during the final year of the military’s arduous campaign in Afghanistan.

Then the director general, public affairs, Noftle helped organize the National Day of Honour on Parliament Hill in May 2014—two months after the end of the 12-year mission, which claimed the lives of 158 Canadian soldiers. She was moved by the dedication of her colleagues and by their willingness to sacrifice: “They are terrific, extremely hard-working, professional people. They give so much for their country,” says Noftle.

She retired from the federal government in late 2014 to pursue a graduate degree in law and explore her passion for photography. Early last year, Noftle also embarked on a personal Canada 150 project: paying homage to our country’s soldiers.

The 53-year-old decided to use her shutter skills to raise money for homeless veterans, an issue that’s attracted little attention, even though a 2015 study estimated that 2,250 Canadian veterans use homeless shelters on a regular basis.