RTAM Meets with Art Reimer

arT reIMer’s Meeting with rTaM

John Sushelnitsky, Peter Carney, Co-Chairs

Art Reimer was a teacher, like all of us. He eventually went on to become the President of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society, then its General Secretary. This was during the turbulent times of Gary Filmon and later with Gary Doer.

Art recently met with the Political Action Committee and with RTAM President Wayne Hughes, attending ex-officio. Art shared his information and insight of the political process involving teachers and the government of the day. Art is currently a member of RTAM. If his presentation were to have a two part summary it would be:

A quiet word to a politician is worth more than a shout.

Peter Carney, Guy Hansen, Art Reimer, John Sushelnitsky, Ralph Cibula

Always keep your lines of communication open.

The meeting was both friendly and informative.

The P.A. committee plans to meet others who can share their perspective on the past political relations with the MTS and the government. n

President’s report (cont. from p. 4)

› We have now hired a second part time office person. Welcome to

Ms. Grace Reimer. Grace has a wealth of experience as a former payroll administrator and will have no difficulty learning the details of our numerous benefit plans. By the New Year, the office will be open five days a week for four hours per day. › The dates for our Annual General

Meeting have had to be changed due to the availability of meeting space. The AGM will be held at the

Ramada Viscount Gort Hotel on

Wednesday May 28, 2014, with the

Chapter Presients’ meeting the day before on May 27, 2014. › Chapters are reminded of the

Chapter Initiative Grants. › If you live in the Calgary area, look in this issue for an invitation and person to contact to possibly form a new chapter of RTAM. › The Benefits Committee are in the final stages of approving a pilot project to look at a new service related to Eldercare. The costs for the pilot project will be covered by Johnson Insurance. Extended

Health Care members will be receiving a direct mail-out from Johnson to give you more information about this new benefit and you will also be asked to complete a survey on your use of this new benefit. › We are planning a Chapter Presidents’ Meeting in January to bring our 19 chapters up-to-date with the numerous activities and ini-

tiatives, as well as listen to how we can better serve our members. › An Ad Hoc committee has been formed to pursue a study of the volunteer activities of retired teachers.

We are all aware that when teachers retire, they stay involved by volunteering in a myriad of activities.

In fact, they become the backbone of their communities. It is time to try and confirm and quantify the number of hours of service done by retired teachers. Stay tuned for more information.

I thank the RTAM Board members and Committees who continue to work very hard for the 8600+ RTAM members. n

looKInG aHeaD

JoAnn Lauber, Communications Chair, ACER-CART

When representatives of the member organizations of the Canadian Association of Retired Teachers (ACER-CART) meet once a year, they report on the activities of retired teachers in their respective areas; they exchange concerns and aspirations, and they seek to harmonize national and provincial issues in order to set directions for the coming year.

Prior to the AGM, which was held in June, 2013, the Pension and Retirement Income Committee - James MacAulay, Chair, (PEI Retired Teachers’ Association) and Gerry Tiede (BC Retired Teachers’ Association) - prepared a presentation about the myths that are commonly used to attack public sector pension plans. They used national and regional data to dispel the myths and to illustrate the real value of all pension plans to society. This session prompted delegates to plan to work together to establish a cross-country approach to preserving and protecting defined benefit pension plans.

Delegates agreed also to support the Canadian Teachers’ Federation in their campaign to have Government listen to our voices. In the coming months, ACER-CART Directors will lead us in becoming involved.

As the present Health Accord of 2004 is expiring next year, delegates to the AGM expressed the need to urge the Federal and Provincial governments to negotiate a new Accord that would not only provide sustainable funding but also strengthen Medicare. The new Accord should include a national pharmaceutical plan and formulary, and expanded and improved home care and home support programs that would assist seniors to remain in their homes. In view of the need for lobbying on this issue and others that concern Canadian seniors, a priority for ACER-CART this coming year is to enhance ACER-CART political advocacy through member associations and by collaborating with like-minded organizations on issues of common concern.

The past successes of ACER-CART – changes in the Income Tax Act to include Pension Splitting (2007), the Conversion of RIFFs at age 71 rather than 69 (2007), and the increase in the Age Credit provision by $1000 (2006) – could not have been realized unless we had worked in concert with other organizations with aims like ours. Similarly, the importance of the work of member associations cannot be overstated. We could not achieve measures that benefit the lives of retired teachers if it were not for the advocacy action of all ACER-CART organizations and individuals, from the Yukon Retired Teachers Alumni to the Retired Teachers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. As our President, Dr. Thomas Gaskell, states, “With everybody working together, we can be optimistic that our pressure, combined with that of other like-minded groups, will influence positive change in improving the quality of life for all Canadians.” n

letter from aCer-CarT President

Dear ACER-CART Directors and Affiliate Presidents,

While I realize we no longer go to class in September, it does feel as though I should extend a welcome back to a “new year” of work on behalf of retirees across Canada. I want to extend my greetings as well to the members of your entire Executive. While my own summer has been hindered by a fall, I do hope you have experienced an enjoyable summer and that the coming year will see your respective organizations have success in those matters affecting your members.

Our June AGM set out a number of tasks, as well as priorities, that I want to bring to the fore so that those issues requiring action can be addressed. That said, I am aware that several of your organizations have already undertaken considerable efforts and have kept us informed. Thank you so much.

Since most of you were in attendance at our June AGM, I will give only a brief overview of where we need your help in order to accomplish our objectives. If further information is required, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our Executive. a) That in addition to ACER-CART’s endorsing the “Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada”, member associations are encouraged to consider doing likewise. Your logo would then appear on the document and a press release would likely follow. b) Member associations are encouraged to adapt and personalize various “generic” letters regarding political advocacy, and to send them to target audiences. These letters may come from our Political Advocacy Committee, or on occasion, from your Executive. c) Member Associations are asked to continue to lobby their respective provincial and territorial governments to develop plans to expand and improve seniors home care and support programs as part of the new health accord.

While not always spelled out, the need for your continued vigilance and efforts regarding the need for a national health care program with a national pharmacare and formulary component, protection of defined benefit pension plans, etc. are extremely important. As I have said many times, your personal contact at the local level and your access to all elected government members are crucial.

We realize, as an Executive, that many of you have limited resources and have many other pressing issues. What we ask is that within the human and financial resources available to you, you attempt to address one or more of the issues agreed upon, remembering that whatever action you take will be of value. Please do not underestimate the value of your personal contact. Your enthusiasm at the AGM is what makes us optimistic that we can make a difference

For the benefit of all those we try to serve, THANK YOU.

As a final note, we would appreciate your keeping us informed of your efforts, what you felt worked, and what did’t. This information will be valuable as we move toward increased political advocacy.

With thanks Thomas Gaskell President