national pensioners federation
Transcription
national pensioners federation
December 2015 Volume 15 Issue 3 Season's Greetings We would like to take the time to wish you a safe and happy holiday and thank you for your continued support. Page 2 National Pensioners Federation NATIONAL PENSIONERS FEDERATION NPF Executive 2015 –2016 President: Herb John 249 Peters Road Walpole Island, ON N8A 4K9 Cell: 519-350-3221 E-mail: [email protected] Secretary: Pat Brady 27681 - 56 Avenue Abbotsford, BC V4X 1J9 Phone: 604-856-2430 E-mail: [email protected] Treasurer: Mary Forbes 2186 Stanfield Road Mississauga, ON L4Y 1R5 Phone: 905-306-1830 E-mail: [email protected] 1st Vice President: John Gatens 20 Logan Lane Lindsay, ON K9V 0L3 Phone: 705-878-5940 or Cell: 905-242-0554 E-mail: [email protected] 2nd Vice President: Mike Kaminski 136 –2nd Ave W., Box 127 Invermay, SK S0A 1M0 Phone: 306-922-8238 or Cell: 306-571-9117 E-mail: [email protected] 3rd Vice President: Bernie LaRusic 21 Grandview Street Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 3N4 Phone: 902-562-1901 E-mail: [email protected] Member at Large: Zoe’ Kopetsky P.O. Box 238 Winterton, NL A0B 3M0 Phone: 709-583-0007 E-mail: [email protected] To the Readers All editorial matter published in this NPF newsletter represents the views and opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the NPF or the publication’s editor. Don't Plan for Seniors Plan with Seniors Deadline for NPF Newsletter submissions is March 1, 2016 Statements and opinions expressed do not represent the official policy of NPF unless so stated. Have you got an article you would like to submit for consideration? Please send your articles to the publication's editor, Jean Simpson at [email protected] Printed at UNIFOR Regional Office, 140 Pine Valley Blvd., London ON National Pensioners Federation Page 3 Art Kube, “Order of Canada” His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presided over an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall on Nov. 18, bestowing the honour on Art Kube, former president of National Pensioners Federation and the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of B.C. Photo by Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall, OSGG President National Pensioners Federation extends heartfelt congratulations to Art Kube for this honourable recognition of his life time dedication to creating a better world for everyone! Arthur Kube (Reprinted with permission of COSCO) “Arthur Kube has devoted a lifetime to supporting workers and the disadvantaged,” said Governor General David Johnston as he officially made Art Kube a member of the Order of Canada. At the age of 19, Art immigrated to Canada from Austria. He worked as a steel fabricator but his real skill is bringing together people, motivating them to help build a more civil society, and giving them the tools to do so through mentorship and education. A member of the Steelworkers Union, Art rose through the ranks of the labour movement, and along the way, helped to found Canada’s first co-operative housing federation. “Over the course of 25 years with the Canadian Labour Congress, he played a pivotal role in its struggle to make our country more progressive and equitable. Respected for his humility and integrity, he was elect-ed president of the BC Federation of Labour, led the United Way of Great-er Vancouver and, in his retirement, served as president of British Columbia’s Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations,” said Johnston. Art has played a key role in the annual Winter School that has educated thousands of union activists, and the free COSCO workshops which have reached thousands of seniors in B.C. The Order of Canada was created in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Congratulations Art!!! Page 4 National Pensioners Federation … continued from the President Our annual convention for 2015 in Ottawa was well attended , informative and constructive. Thank you to everyone that helped make it a success. We began our convention with a rally on Parliament Hill with speakers addressing the four issues of the Seniors Vote collaboration; health care, housing, financial security in retirement and the growing inequality in Canada. This event was planned in conjunction with many other International Day of Older Persons events across the country. We will soon begin plans for the October 1st celebration next year. Lets join together again in this annual celebration. We had interesting and informative speakers which included author Mark Bourrie, Melissa Newitt from the Canadian Health Coalition, Andrew Goldstein from Trillium Health Partners, Dr. Frank Molnar from the Canadian Medical Association and Trish Hennessy of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Some of their power point presentations are available on our web site. (Convention / Documents / 2015.) We discussed and adopted a Housing Policy which was presented by Barb Mikulec and Bernie LaRusic of our Housing Committee. This policy will be the document we use in our lobby efforts with MP’s. It is available on our website at: www.nationalpensionersfederation.ca/?page_id=2935 On behalf of the membership and executive I thank Sandy Carricato and Winnie Fraser-Mackay for their years of contribution to NPF. We look forward to working with our new treasurer Mary Forbes. Our Convention next year will be in Richmond B.C. on September 27, 28 and 29 following the COSCO convention. This will be a Tuesday - Thursday schedule instead of the usual Wed - Fri. schedule. Details will be available on our website when information is available. Our congratulations to Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada for their decisive victory in the federal election. We look forward to working in a much different environment. We will continue to raise the issues that are important to aging Canadians to ensure that the broad range of commitments that were made are fulfilled. Expectations have not been this high in Canada for many years. Watching the election results ticking in and ending with so many incredibly talented and dedicated Members of Parliament losing their seats was a shock which will reverberate for a long time. This empathy was obviously not extended to everyone that lost. Canadians celebrate the fact that the previous government is gone and hope that this type of government is never repeated. It is time to fulfill our dreams of a country that respects the value that every person has and acts accordingly. We will pursue the commitments made; Trudeau said investments in affordable housing and seniors facilities would be among those “prioritized” under his plan for a wide range of social projects. He pledged to provide $20 billion in new spending over a 10-year period. Invest 3 billion over four years on home care and improve access to and reduce the cost of prescription medications through bulk purchasing. Establish a pan-Canadian Expert Advisory Council on Mental Health. Negotiate a new Canada Health Accord. Return the OAS eligibility from 67 back to 65. Make employment insurance compassionate care benefits available to anyone caring for a seriously ill family member and make the program more flexible by allowing the six-month benefit to be claimed in blocks of time over a year -long period. Implementing a new Seniors Price Index (SPI) National Pensioners Federation_______________ Page 5 ...continued from the President A 10 % boost in the Guaranteed Income Supplement. An increase in the CPP is also necessary to provide retirement income for future retirees, especially with the ongoing greedy determination by corporations to not only eliminate the bargaining of any new DB plans but the patient and determined undermining of existing pensions in the public and private sectors. As always the National Pensioners Federation will work with anyone who’s focus is building a democratic and compassionate future for all aging Canadians. The decision to bring Syrian refugees into Canada is an example of the compassion that Canadians feel happy to extend to those that are living such impoverished lives. The governments lead in opening these doors and the overwhelming outpouring of help from Canadians has put Canada back in its place as a global leader in extending compassion. The news from Canada Post to suspend the elimination of door to door delivery was good news. The fact that they said nothing about their challenges to pensions is concerning. We must continue to maintain our position that public and private pensions are earned and can not be retroactively changed. This argument applies to current and future retirees that have earned pension credits. The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21 or CMP is being held in Le Bourget, from November 30 to December 11. It is the 21st yearly session of the Conference of the Parties, to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hence COP 21) and the 11th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The objective of the conference is to achieve legally binding and universal agreement on climate, from all nations of the world. The results of this conference will obviously affect everyone on the planet and therefore it is an issue of importance to seniors. We are running out of time to protect this planet for our grandchildren and future generations. These discussions have been ongoing for over 20 years, the environmental movement has been around for 45 years and we are still destroying the planet at an alarming rate. What is it that national governments and global capitalists don't get? There is no more room or time for outliers. I hope that the positions that Prime Minister Trudeau takes at COP 21 on behalf of Canada meet the hopeful expectations of Canadians. Our grandchildren’s future depends on this. The NPF Executive Board wishes everyone a warm family holiday season. Wishing you all the very best! Herb John, President Page 6 National Pensioners Federation Thank you!! Greetings; first let me thank the delegates for again electing me to office in spite of the fact I couldn’t be present at our convention in Ottawa. Thank goodness I am now almost settled in my new home in Lindsay, a rural town north east of Toronto away from the hustle and bustle of the greater Toronto area. 1st Vice President I was sorry to have missed the convention the reports of which have been excellent form all accounts. I congratulate our president Herb John and the other members of the executive who ran a tight ship with few complaints about this convention from the delegates. I also congratulate my old colleagues on their re-election and welcome our latest member of the executive, Mary Forbes on her election as our new Treasurer. For most Canadians the most significant event experienced recently was the federal election. I am elated with the result because we ousted a dictatorship run by Stephen Harper. Having said that, I am also somewhat disappointed in the fact that some very fine deserving members of parliament were defeated, being swept up in this landslide that really reflected the desperate need by the people to rid ourselves of this regressive self-serving government, and who if not self-serving certainly served the financially elite of this country. I say Good riddance. I am excited with the prospect of our new Prime Minister undoing some of the harmful changes enacted by the last government e.g. with the promise to reinstating the Old Age Pension to age 65. I believe this in one of the most important issues that will affect many seniors in the near future. When you really analyze this important change in government it I am reminded of the excitement I felt in coming to this country with hopes and dreams of a better life for myself and my family. I sincerely hope my expectations are note dashed, but I am prepared to give this young man the benefit of the doubt and allow him some time to bring us back to progress for all not just the chosen few. In the past I have mentioned an important event I have been involved in, that is our annual Health and Wellness Fair, held in Oshawa at Unifor Local 222 hall. This is our tenth annual event that draws approximately 360 seniors for a full day’s participation in a variety of health related issues pertaining mainly to seniors. We have many agencies providing screening for Hearing Tests, Blood Pressure checks, Random Blood Glucose, we have Massage therapists. WE have seniors demonstrating Tai Chi and Line Dancing. We also have many interesting speakers discussing issues: Fire Prevention, the importance of fitness in seniors. The Prevention and Cancer Screening Program, Chronic Pain, Diabetes, and a speaker from the Ontario Health Coalition and last but not least a speaker on Dementia. As you can see it is a full day during which we provide Tea, coffee and muffins at breakfast, and a bagged lunch at noon. We have prizes donated by a number of our sponsors. All in all it’s a very informative and entertaining day in which our local Mayor along with many other dignitaries takes time to attend. I feel very lucky to be a part of this group and only wish that these types of events could be shared by hundreds of seniors at locations all across the country, who knows perhaps we will see similar events with the help support and assistance from our new Prime Minister. As I write this report i am preparing for your executives monthly conference call, we do this to stay in contact, plan and discuss issues, and first and foremost to save money since we are from different provinces and cannot afford to travel from one end of our country to the other to meet in body. It works! Speaking about contact from one province to another and all that entails, I would at this time like to invite members of our affiliates to join me by becoming a member of our Communications and Outreach committee, to help us engage with our members through the written word i.e. letters in our News bulletin four times yearly, or enabling us through the “New method of communicating” E mail or internet to help grow this organization by reaching like minded groups of seniors who believe that it is much more beneficial to belong to a National organization that can speak on behalf of seniors from all across this great nation. If you believe you have something to offer or you know someone who has the skills and ability to share, please send me your name and contact address: John Gatens, 1st Vice President National Pensioners Federation Page 7 Change and Choices Summer is over, and fall is also passing at a fast pace. The green landscape has turned to shades of brown and white. The temperature is dropping as the changes in the surroundings are slowly, but surely, verifying the change in the season. Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en have passed and plans are being made for Christmas. 2nd Vice President Change is a slow process. Many people don’t like change because it means that we have to cope with things that we are not used to. Others like change because it is refreshing, offers new solutions, and explores new strategies. However, all change needs to be based on a needs assessment, solid research and a comprehensive, integrated plan. Change for the sake of change itself is meaningless. Seniors’ Issues, climate change, the economy, terrorism, security, etc. are some of the main issues that were debated during the last federal election. Many promises of change were made; however, too many were made to buy votes and not necessarily address the concerns. Many novice politicians were elected to replace experienced ones and charged with the task of addressing some very serious issues. While this might enable more “Thinking Outside the Box”, there still needs to be some thinking done. Some of the promises made were done to appease an electorate that expected Canadian solutions to solve world problems. This might be a good political strategy, but only that! The reality is that a promise is not a solution, and promises don’t, of themselves, solve problems. After the tragedy in Paris, our newly elected government and our novice Prime Minister, need to seriously reflect on their promises and the premature initiatives, rethink their course of action and try to envisage the impact of rushed decisions. Remember, if you have a headache, taking a headache pill might dull the pain, but it doesn’t remedy the source of the pain. The better cure is in resolving whatever is causing the pain in the first place. By this method, you don’t have to continue with drugs to desensitise the nerves and not really solve the problem. Similarly, solutions to problems need to address the cause, not just the effects. Canada is a cultural mosaic. However, it is a country with values and obligations. If we can find sufficient funding for accepting refugees, then maybe we should be able to find sufficient funding to address the homelessness problems in each of the provinces. Maybe some additional money can be found to solve the shortfall of funding for seniors. Why is it so possible to find the financial resources for all the severance pay for defeated MP’s, terminated civil servants, MP pensions, etc. and almost impossible to assist the seniors, the homeless, and the unemployed? Mike Kaminski, 2nd Vice President Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. Albert Einstein "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." Socrates Page 8_____________________________________________________________National Pensioners Federation Hi: I am Mary Forbes: I have been a Cub Scout Leader and a Brownie Leader, volunteered at Easter Seals Campaigns, walked to raise funds for various Charities and always been involved in Social activities at home and at work. Treasurer I had been employed at Spar Aerospace (now Mdcan) for approximately 3 years before the "Union Bug" bit me. I worked in Finance which at that time was a large Department. I have always offered people help and advice, in fact I have been called "Mother Mary". Anyway the Election for Union Leadership arrived and I was asked to run for the position of Committee Person. I took up the challenge and my handout was a fortune cookie with the message “Vote for Mary Forbes” inside. I won! My Husband had been very involved in Leadership roles with the United Steel Workers America (USWA) and along with his advice and that of Brother John Woods, I took up the challenge and learned on the job. I must have done okay because then I was elected to the Bargaining Committee and that wasn’t enough I became the Health & Safety Rep., a Member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee and the Pay Equity Committee. I argued for hours on Pay Equity on that Committee and on the Bargaining Committee I tried to obtain Dental Benefits for Retirees (instead I obtained Dental Benefits for new hires and after 3 months with the Company). I have attended many training courses and conferences to educate myself on issues affecting working people. In each Company I worked for I was always responsible for Accounts Payable, Expense Claims and Time Keeping. I believe that my extra curricular activities were really beneficial in my work. I gained the ability to deal with people in all walks of life. I was Financial Secretary of my Local Union, C.A.W. Education, Technical, Office and Professional (ETOP) 673 for almost 10 years and Financial Secretary of the C.A.W. Education Technical and Professional Council for approximately 6 years. After my final layoff I attended Microsoft and Excel courses courtesy of EI (Government Canada) and became proficient in Word. Then I was able to take on the role of Recording Secretary of my Local Union’s Retired Workers Chapter for 2 years and now I am Chairperson. I am on the standing Committee for Ontario Federation Union Retirees (OFUR) and the Recording Secretary for Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC), the co-chair of The Toronto Retirees Network and the Treasurer of Toronto West Retired Workers Chapter. I attend Conferences, Demonstrations and Picket Lines representing the Committees I am involved with. I volunteer at NDP and Municipal Political Campaigns. I would encourage any Retiree to get involved in their Union. It is invigorating and one continues to learn, to keep busy and to meet many interesting people. What do I want: Peace in all corners of our World and that our new Liberal Government start implementing their election promises! Mary Forbes, Treasurer REQUEST FOR DONATIONS As the treasurer for the National Pensioners Federation one of my duties is raising funds. We would appreciate any donations that our Clubs/Groups and individual/family members can make. Please send your donation to: Mary Forbes, NPF Treasurer 2186 Stanfield Road Mississauga, ON L4Y 1R5 National Pensioners Federation___________________________________________________________ _ Page 9 NATIONAL PENSIONERS FEDERATION (NPF) The NPF financial year is from January 1st through December 31st (the calendar year). Club and Group dues are to be paid each year in January and are based on the listing below. Please complete this Submission Form (Club/Group address and contact) and submit your dues as early as possible. Annual Club/Group membership dues: Select ( ) Club/Group - under 100 members $35 ( ) Club/Group from 101 to 500 members $75 ( ) Club/Group from 501 to 1,000 members $125 ( ) Club/Group with over 1,000 members $350 ( ) ______ ( ) Donations would be gratefully accepted. The NPF depends on your financial support in order to continue and expand our advocacy efforts. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call or write the Treasurer. Thank you TOGETHER SENIORS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Please print all information clearly and submit with your payment directly to: Mary Forbes, NPF Treasurer 2186 Stanfield Road Mississauga, ON L4Y 1R5 Phone: 905 306-1830 Email: [email protected] We need this information in order to keep our records up-to-date. The names and phone numbers of your executive board members would also be appreciated. On occasion this information is helpful. CLUB # CLUB NAME CONTACT ADDRESS PROV POSTAL CODE PHONE NUMBER Individual/Family membership is $25/$35 respectively and application/payment may be submitted on this form. Please note that the dues structure was changed at the 2013 Convention in Windsor. Page 10 National Pensioners and Senior Citizens Federation Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations La Société des Organisations des Citoyens Aînés de l’Ontario 333 Wilson Avenue, Suite 406, Toronto, Ontario M3H 1T2 Telephone: 416.785.8570 Toll Free: 1.800.265.0779 Fax: 416.785.7361 Email: [email protected] Charitable Registration Number: 88502 6351 RR0001 November 18, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE HERB JOHN RECEIVES OSSCO’S 2015 DAN BENEDICT AWARD Starting in the 1980’s when he became a Canadian citizen, through to the beginning of the 21st century, Dan Benedict’s name was synonymous with integrity and social justice within the labour movement in Canada. Benedict, a long time board member of the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations (OSSCO), passed away in 2003 at the age of 86. His legacy was such that OSSCO honoured him with an award in his name. This award is handed out to individuals who embody Benedict’s spirit of leadership, innovation, community mobilization and partnerships. On November 17th at OSSCO’s Annual Seniors Education Day & Information Fair, OSSCO Chair-elect Claude Hould proudly presented Walpole Island resident Herb John with the prestigious 2015 Dan Benedict Award for Social Justice. John, a well-known and respected advocate for social justice, was on hand at the event to accept the award in front of hundreds of seniors and seniors service providers in Toronto. Herb John started his mission as a social justice leader at a young age, beginning as a member of the Windsor N.D.P. Youth Group at 14. He was an employee of the Ford Motor Company from 1973 until 2003, during which he was highly active with the Canadian Auto Workers union (C.A.W.). For 20 years, he held various leadership positions: including #3 and #2 Shift Committee Person, Plant Chairperson, Trustee on the Local Executive Board and member of the Local and Master bargaining Committees. Herb was involved with the Local 200 Environment Committee, C.A.W. Council Environment Committee, & the Citizens Environment Alliance to name a few of his many connections to advocacy. Upon retirement, John maintained his community involvement and was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Essex Kent/Windsor C.A.W. Area Retired Workers Council. September 2010 at the Retired Workers Annual National Conference, Herb was elected to the C.A.W. National Retired Workers Advisory Executive Board and gave his up his local CAW council work. In addition, he holds the post as President of the National Pensioners’ Federation (an organization with 60,000+ members that raises issues that are important to aging Canadians) and serves on the Board of Directors of the Chatham Kent Health Alliance; demonstrating an individual wholly inspired and dedicated to helping his fellow Ontarians in any way he can. Dan Benedict created a legacy by showing Ontarians how to blaze their own trail in the area of social justice. Over the past 40+ years, Herb John created a road map of his own, following in the footsteps of great people like Benedict. John added his own templates to the social justice model, acting as an inspiration and voice to the people he has encountered in a life dedicated to the service of others. National Pensioners Federation Page 11 Press Release: November 5 2015 Public Consultation Is Step One. Today the text for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was released globally. The National Pensioners Federation is requesting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implement a public consultation process so that seniors in Canada have the opportunity to review the document and have input into the consultations. “We need guarantees that this trade deal will not have a negative impact on aging Canadians collecting pensions and living on fixed incomes. We know from experience that even though trade deals are proclaimed to benefit everyone they do not. The promised jobs and trickle down economic assurances of the past are not enough anymore. We are looking for the promised change in the new governments approach to how Canada does business,” said Herb John NPF President. National Pensioners Federation is demanding, 1) 2) 3) A comprehensive and independent analysis of the TPP text by the Parliament Budget Officer. Among other things, the analysis must assess the deal’s impact on human rights, health, employment, environment and democracy. Public hearings in each province and territory across Canada as well as separate and meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities and First Nations. No agreement can be ratified without their consent. Ensure that the any progress made at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris (COP21) is protected from the investor-state dispute settlement provisions (ISDS) in the TPP. Furthermore, ISDS must be excided from the TPP. The complete TPP text may be accessed here: www.mfat.govt.nz/Treaties-and-International-Law/01-Treaties-for-which-NZ-isDepositary/0-Trans-Pacific-Partnership-Text.php Thank you for your attention to this issue. Did you know you may advertise in this newsletter? Business card - $25 One quarter page - $40 One half page - $75 One full page - $150 Don't Plan for Seniors Plan with Seniors Page 12 National Pensioners Federation December 3, 2015 The Honourable Jane Philpott Minister of Health 70 Colombine Driveway, Tunney's Pasture Postal Location: 0906C Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9 Dear Minister Philpott, We welcome you to your new role as Canada’s Minster of Health and we look forward to working together to defend and expand Canada’s public health care system. Your experience within our public health care system as well as advocating for some of our world’s most vulnerable people speaks volumes about what you bring to this role. It is very clear that strong vision and leadership are required to ensure that all people in Canada have access to the public health care they need regardless of where they live or how much they earn. As a national coalition, we have been working since the inception of public health care to ensure the preservation and improvement of Medicare. We are a public advocacy organization of national organizations representing seniors, faith groups, anti-poverty groups, women, nurses, health care workers, trade unions and students as well as affiliated coalitions in 9 provinces and 2 territories. As a part of this year’s National Medicare Week, public health care advocates from across the country are contacting their MP’s to share their priorities and expectations for our health care system. We would also like to outline our priorities in hope that we will collaborate to maintain and improve our system from coast to coast to coast. We are pleased that the Prime Minister has committed to renegotiate the Health Accord with the provinces and territories to provide a long-term funding agreement. As a coalition, we look forward to providing you with our input into this process to ensure that the new agreement meets the needs of all people in Canada. Additionally, we are pleased to learn that you have on a number of occasions joined our call for a National Public Drug Plan. You are no doubt aware that almost a quarter of people in our country have not taken necessary medications because they could not pay for them and that the implementation of this plan could save as much as $11 billion annually. We are ready to work with you to create a National Drug Plan for all people in Canada. As we look at the increasing health care needs of our aging population, it is clear that we are in desperate need of a plan. Our movement is calling for a National Strategy for Seniors Care. This plan must include the appropriate continuum of publically-owned care providing hospital care, long-term care, homecare, as well as hospice and palliative care. Our aging population deserves nothing less. National Pensioners Federation Page 13 Across this country our public health care system is under attack, whether it is increased user fees in Nova Scotia, the legislation of extra billing through Bill 20 in Quebec or the Dr. Day case in BC. There is a clear need to uphold single-tier Medicare as well as to stop user fees for medically necessary services and extra-billings of patients. Health care advocates are committed to working to protect our precious public health care system. We invite you to join us in this important work. Sincerely, National Canadian Health Coalition Canadian Association of Retired Teachers Canadian Federation of Nurses Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Union of Public Employees Congress of Union Retirees of Canada Council of Canadians National Pensioners Federation National Union of Public and General Employees United Steelworkers Provincial and Territorial Alberta Friends of Medicare Alternatives North BC Health Coalition Nova Scotia Health Coalition Ontario Health Coalition Hospital Employees’ Union Contact: Melissa Newitt, National Coordinator (Interim), Canadian Health Coalition 251 Bank St., Suite 212, Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3 E-mail - [email protected] Telephone - 613-688-4973 X1 Page 14 National Pensioners Federation National Pensioners Federation___________________ Website: www.nationalpensionersfederation.ca ___Page 15 Toll Free: 1-877-251-7042 OBJECTIVES National Pensioners Federation is an organization devoted entirely to the welfare and best interests of Canada’s elderly. 1. To promote and establish and foster Seniors’ Centres (called Clubs or Groups) and Regional and Provincial Seniors’ groups throughout Canada. 2. To provide education for persons in the retired and senior citizens age group and other individuals interested in aging, and the status and well being of seniors. 3. To reach out to seniors who are lonely, or isolated, or at risk. 4. To provide programs which promote healthy active lifestyles for seniors, thus sustaining mental and physical health. 5. To assist in developing the knowledge that seniors should learn during their aging process, through promotion of educational experiences. 6. To research the aging process, and any problems and benefits pertaining to the aged that might be of interest to the Federation and to use the knowledge gained from that research to educate seniors and any other party or parties who are or might become interested in these concerns. 7. To provide opportunities for seniors to utilize their volunteer and leadership skills for the benefits of all persons. 8. To consult with other private and public organizations which offer similar services in order to gather any educational information that will add to knowledge and be of use to seniors and the public. "YOU are the Change" Page 16 National Pensioners Federation Saluting the National Pensioners Federation The Executive & Membership of the Retired Workers Chapter of UNIFOR Auto Workers Local 222 President - Les MacDonald Secretary Treasurer - Art Field Vice President - Lyle Hargrove Sergeant at Arms - Mike Saunders Member at Large - John Redko (R.I.P. Brother) Female Member at Large - Wendy Rolfe Trustees - Lance Livingstone Paul Herrington Don Revoy 1425 Phillip Murray Ave., Oshawa, ON L1J 8L4 905-723-1187 1-800-465-5458 www.local222retirees.ca National Pensioners Federation Page 17 UNIFOR Local 200 Retired Workers Salutes The National Pensioners Federation Serving Ford Windsor Retired Workers since 1966 Chairperson: Jack Gibbons Vice Chairperson: Jim Mitchell Financial Secretary : Mike Lepine Recording Secretary: John Gray Sergeant-at-arms: Roger LeFrancois Guide: Pam Strong Windsor Essex/Chatham Kent Area UNIFOR Retired Workers Council Representing Retired Workers from UNIFOR Local 127 UNIFOR Local 195 UNIFOR Local 200 UNIFOR Local 240 UNIFOR Local 444 UNIFOR Local 1498 UNIFOR Local 1941 UNIFOR Local 1959 UNIFOR Local 1973 UNIFOR Local 2027 UNIFOR Local 2098 UNIFOR Local 2458 Page 18 National Pensioners Federation RETIREES AREA COUNCIL AJAX, OSHAWA & PETERBOROUGH UNIFOR LOCALS 1090, 222 & 524 Bill Woodbeck - Chairperson Roger Lathangue - Vice Chair Sandy Carricato - Financial Secretary Art Field Les MacDonald Gord Terry Lyle Hargrove Armindo Vieira John Gatens Buy Canadian Union Made Products If Not Delivered Please Return to: Mary Forbes 2186 Stanfield Road Mississauga, ON L4Y 1R5