Political Advocacy

John Sushelnitsky, Political Advocacy Committee Chair

The Political Advocacy (PA) committee will meet in September and there are at least three topics that will be part of its agenda in 2018 - 2019. Part of the mandate of the PA committee is to keep the Board aware of developments that affect the welfare of retired teachers. Towards that end, the PA committee will continue its research on the topic of proportional representation as it affects the fairness of our voting system. The challenge is to simplify the adjustments that our members, and the general public, would have to make in accepting a change from the way ”we have always done things.” It is a complex subject but we have taken steps towards that goal and will continue to do so in the coming year, particularly with the referendum taking place in British Columbia about whether to employ Proportional Representation or not.

Another topic that will concern the PA committee is the dramatic shift in the distribution of wealth that has taken place in Canada and in many parts of the developed world. With studies that document the increasing impoverishment of many sectors of our society, it is of great concern because it speaks to the fabric of our society when so many people are less well off than they were decades ago. The third issue will be a study of the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Many of our members have been in the front lines of this issue of relating to the aboriginal populations and it is of great interest to be aware of the recommendations of that Commission. There may be other issues that emerge as the year moves forward, but as chair of PA I am confident that we will make progress on these three areas. 

Wellness Advocacy Committee (continued from page 6)

a new federal Minister of Seniors, the Honourable Filomena Tassi.

The Manitoba Seniors Coalition is also active and there should be information coming to you about the workings of organizations on behalf of Seniors in our province in the areas of senior isolation, ageism and dementia, to name a few. All of this affects all of us in one way or another and at different times of our lives. There could be threads of these concerns running through the Wellness Seminars we will be offering this year. We are attempting to engage you in the discussion through a survey we will be offering through the RTAM website, www.rtam.mb.ca this year. Please help us

when we ask for opinions.

We have established some dates for the upcoming year so please save the dates: Topics could include: Creativity: The role of art, music and all things creative in Retirement; Decluttering; Senior Driving from Safety Manitoba; Consumer Protection; Get Your Benefits: How Better Income Can Lead To Better Health. October 31, 2018, half day at the RTAM Office. Seminar advertised in this issue of KIT November 13, 2018, full day 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at McMaster House: program will be posted on the website February 27, 2019, half day at the RTAM Office. Seminar to be advertised in KIT and on the website April 03, 2019, full day at McMaster House: program will be posted in KIT and on the website, http://rtam.mb.ca 