FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS - National Association of Federal Retirees
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SUMMER 2019
PRICE: $4.95
Promises, promises
PAGE 12
Target: Seniors – How
to recognize and avoid
scams aimed at seniors
PAGE 16
FALLING
THROUGH
THE CRACKS
Improvements in the
system still leave big gaps
for female veterans
PAGE 6
Former CAF flight surgeon Dr. Karen Breeck
PM40065047
HOME CAR TRAVEL
Travel insurance that’ll
get tails wagging. “I’ll stop
chasing mine”
When you travel, do what over 80,000 Federal Retirees
What you get with MEDOC® members do and pick up MEDOC® Travel Insurance
through Johnson Insurance.
An unlimited number of 40 day
(or less) trips outside of Canada For about the same cost as
insuring one single trip1,
An unlimited number of trips
Federal Retirees members
within Canada of any duration Get a quote & you’ll be
can secure a multi-trip
entered for a chance to
Up to $12,000 trip cancellation2, annual plan that packs
interruption, and delay benefits all the essentials. WIN
$25,000
†
Up to $5 million in emergency
medical coverage
1-855-428-8744
Access to coverage regardless www.Johnson.ca/federalretirees
of age or health status3 Mention that you’re a National
Association of Federal Retirees
member for your preferred rates.
Johnson Insurance is a tradename of Johnson Inc. (“Johnson”), a licensed insurance intermediary, and operates as Johnson Insurance Services in British Columbia. MEDOC® is a Registered
Trademark of Johnson. MEDOC® is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada (“RSA”) and administered by Johnson. Valid provincial or territorial health plan
coverage required. The eligibility requirements, terms, conditions limitations and exclusions, which apply to the described coverage are as set out in the policy. Policy wordings prevail.
1
Based on a comparison of MEDOC’s multi-trip annual B plan design against single trip plans with similar benefits. 2Coverage for Trip Cancellation begins the day of booking your trip
provided your insurance is in effect. If a trip is booked prior to Trip Cancellation insurance being in effect, coverage for that trip will begin the day that the insurance premium is paid and
the policy is issued. 3A 90-day Health Stability Clause applies to pre-existing medical conditions for the Standard Health Option, Supplemental Plan only, and other restrictions may apply.
Johnson and RSA share common ownership. Call 1-855-428-8744 for details. †NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open January 1, 2019 – April 30, 2020 to legal residents of Canada (excluding
NU) who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence and are a member of a recognized group of JI with whom JI has an insurance agreement. One (1) available prize
of $25,000 CAD. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Math skill test required. Rules: www1.johnson.ca/cash2019
ASSOCIATION
ADVOCACY
IS OUR STRENGTH
You are our best recruiter
JEAN-GUY SOULIÈRE
The raison d’être of our association is advocacy, to advocate for the
protection of our pensions and benefits specifically, and for issues of
importance for seniors in general. The question that many members
ask is: Does advocacy really work? The simple answer is yes.
In the past, this association advocated that is constantly acknowledged when we
for full indexation of our superannuation, meet with MPs and government officials.
for the establishment of a dental plan for We are now organizing our strategy for the
National Association of Federal Retirees
pensioners, and full membership in the 2019 federal elections. There are many other
president Jean-Guy Soulière.
governance of the Public Service Health examples of the success of our advocacy
Care Plan. Our advocacy efforts were efforts, so yes, advocacy works.
successful. More recently, in collaboration Our advocacy direction is based on our
with other seniors groups, bargaining Our efforts, however, could be more vision, mission, values, and strategic
agents, and retirees organizations such influential if our membership were to plan. It is developed from the bottom up,
as the Canadian Coalition for Pension include all federal retirees from the federal from the needs and requirements of our
Income Security, we have been successful public service, the Canadian Armed Forces, members, which are interpreted by our
in having the government back off from and the RCMP. In politics, numbers count board of directors and then developed into
Bill C-27, which would have changed the and the more members we have, the more a plan of action. Our national office has a
pension landscape in the country and influence we can exercise. Our members, professional and knowledgeable advocacy
introduced a threat to our defined-benefit and seniors in general, vote proportionally team that co-ordinates our efforts and
pension plans. more than any other group — a fact provides guidance to our volunteers.
candidates know. Those of you who are volunteers have
Federal Retirees was the lead organization
already started to receive information on
in placing pressure on the government to One of the most effective advocacy
our 2019 election strategy. For members
develop a seniors strategy, including the touch points is at the local level, which
at large, please consult federalretirees.ca
re-establishment of a minister responsible highlights the importance of our branches.
regularly where you will be able to
for seniors. Last summer, the government Many times when I meet MPs in Ottawa,
appreciate our advocacy in action.
announced the establishment of a minister they refer to the meetings they had with
of seniors. We have met with Minister Federal Retirees representatives in their There are many reasons for being a
Filomena Tassi on a few occasions, including constituency. Our advocacy efforts are member of our Association, but never
our recent Vibrant Voices lobby day initiative successful because, across the country, forget that because of our effective
at which she hosted a reception and we are consistent with our messages and advocacy, your membership is the best
acknowledged our contributions. During our mission. Our volunteers are the key insurance protection of your benefits.
the 2015 elections, Federal Retirees was to this effective advocacy, and I encourage We need to increase our membership and
particularly active across the country, a fact you to get involved. each one of you is our best recruiter. p
federalretirees.ca SAGE I 3
6
12
PUBLISHER
Andrew McGillivary, Director,
Communications, Marketing and Recruitment
EDITOR
Gail J. Cohen
PUBLICATIONS MANAGER
Karen Ruttan
EDITORIAL CO-ORDINATOR
Alex Charette
CONTRIBUTORS
Elizabeth Thompson, Kathryn May, Helen Burnett-
18 Nichols, Patrick Imbeau, Jessica Searson, Candace
Jazvac, Marg Bruineman, Sandi Krasowski
TRANSLATION SERVICES
Annie Bourret, Sandra Pronovost,
CONTENTS Claire Garvey, Lionel Raymond
GRAPHIC DESIGN
The Blondes – Branding & Design
3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 27 HEALTH CHECK PRINTING
Dollco Printing
A palliative care framework
5 DEAR SAGE for Canada JESSICA SEARSON
SAGE EDITORIAL CONSULTATION COMMITTEE
6 ALONG GENDER LINES 28 ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Roy Goodall, Rick Brick, Cynthia Foreman,
James Nicholson, Megan Williams
The government is addressing individual Election 2019: What’s your
problems for female veterans but lacks a priority? CANDACE JAZVAC Letters to the Editor or to contact the National
systemic, top-down overhaul of Veterans Association of Federal Retirees:
Affairs programs ELIZABETH THOMPSON 30 MEET THE ADVOCACY PROGRAM 865 Shefford Road, Ottawa, ON K1J 1H9
sage@federalretirees.ca
OFFICERS
12 PROMISES, PROMISES MARG BRUINEMAN
Sage Magazine is produced under licence.
Have the Liberals lived up to all they promised
in ministerial mandate letters? KATHRYN MAY 33 JUST GETTING STARTED Publication # 40065047 ISSN 2292-7166
The real work started after retirement Return undeliverable copies to:
18 TARGET: SENIORS for newly minted MPP Judith Monteith- National Association of Federal Retirees
Scams aimed at older Canadians are Farrell SANDI KRASOWSKI 865 Shefford Road, Ottawa ON K1J 1H9
sophisticated but there are telltale ways
to spot them HELEN BURNETT-NICHOLS 34 THE LATEST NEWS For subscriptions or information on advertising
in Sage, please contact Karen Ruttan at
21 LEAVE YOUR WORRIES BEHIND 37 WE WANT YOU! 613.745.2559, ext. 256
The benefits of guided travel Volunteer opportunities with the
Cover price $4.95 per issue
National Association of Federal Retirees
23 CRUISES: WHAT YOU SHOULD Member subscription is $5.40 per year,
included in Association membership
KNOW BEFORE YOU SET SAIL 38 YOUR BRANCH IN BRIEF Non-member subscription is $14.80 per year
Non-members contact National Association
24 VETERANS CORNER 44 CROSS CANADA ROUNDUP of Federal Retirees for subscriptions
New Veterans Ombudsman scopes
out next five years 45 IN MEMORIAM All content in Sage magazine — including
financial, medical and health-related opinions
25 FROM THE PENSION DESK 46 WE’RE HERE TO SERVE YOU! — is for information only and in no way
replaces the advice of a professional.
Women in retirement PATRICK IMBEAU
COVER PHOTO Former CAF flight surgeon Dr. Karen Breeck. Photo: Jana Chytil
4 I SAGE SUMMER 2019 VOL. 22 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada
Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada
ASSOCIATION
One case in point, on patrol near Lindsay, The Canadian Patented Drug Pricing
Ont., a man driving erratically on clear Review Board (PMPRB) is currently
DEAR SAGE roads in broad daylight skidded off into the
ditch in front of me. I got out to help him in
drafting new legislation to significantly
force drug companies to lower their
Keep those letters and emails coming, case he was hurt but he was impaired and pricing on new drugs. One example is
folks. Our mailing address is: found transporting a considerable amount the new drug Luspatercept. It is the first
of illegal marijuana. My partner and I had drug ever developed for certain types of
National Association of Federal Retirees, to wrestle his keys from him to stop him myelodysplasia (bone marrow failure).
865 Shefford Road, Ottawa, ON, K1J 1H9 from taking off and ensure he did not get The maker, Celgene, now owned by
Or you can email us at back on the road and have a much more Bristol-Myers Squibb, is currently seeking
sage@federalretirees.ca serious accident. fast-track approval in the United States and
European Union to sell it. It has no plans
3) Growing up in the late ’60s I saw far
at present to seek approval for its use in
too many high school friends who started
Canada — maybe waiting to see what kind
Note that letters have been edited using this drug and ended up graduating
of regulations the PMPRB comes up with.
for grammar and length. to serious hard drugs that basically ruined
In the meantime, plans to significantly
their lives.
reduce the cost of new drugs may be
I just received a survey request about
4) Medical marijuana use is not scientifically holding patients in a stalemate between
dental plans and will fill out same, but
proven. The Canadian Medical Association the drug companies and the PMPRB.
I am waiting for the survey as promised
itself has come out publicly against
on Cannabis ads in Sage. Just in case If there is to be a national pharmacare
Canadian doctors prescribing this drug
I missed it here is my opinion. program, it needs a special program
for medicine.
embedded in it to cover specialty drugs for
Really, the placing of cannabis ads
In closing, if Sage is so hard up for rare disorders. It should recognize the above
in Sage should not happen for the
advertising revenue, just increase our issues or new drugs for rare disorders may
following reasons:
dues by a few dollars. I would much rather never make it to the Canadian market.
1) Sage does not place ads for alcohol not have to see this industry get any
Gwen Barry
or tobacco, and cannabis should be positive exposure in our national magazine.
Lower Sackville, N.S.
treated the same. We do not want our
Brett Hodsdon
national retirees organization to promote
Ottawa
any potentially addictive, unhealthy, and
I refer to the letter to the editor from Paul
mind-altering products in a national Your sentiments are shared by many,
Fast in your spring 2019 issue. His point
magazine for seniors. Smoking anything so we have decided not to proceed
about over-packaging of Sage magazine
is unhealthy and promoting drug use in with the survey.
is a good one, but so was your response
edibles is equally bad. Note the recent
that you’re not yet ready to move to an
incident in Canada where a bunch
all-electronic distribution approach. An
of seniors unknowingly ate brownies (Re: National pharmacare and significantly
alternative worth considering is to do what
containing cannabis at a buffet and ended reducing the cost of new drugs)
many organizations and associations do
up in hospital, not to mention the countless
It was mentioned in the spring 2019 these days with their news piece: offer
stories I have read about pets and children
issue that reducing the cost of drugs will electronic distribution/access to those that
eating the stuff by accident with similar
be an intricate part of any new national request it and continue to mail a hard copy
trips required to the vet and hospital.
pharmacare program. This can be bad to those that don’t. That way you’ll use less
2) A very substantial cohort of your news, and yes, even death for those of us paper (and less plastic) and save money in
subscribers are, like me, retired law who have rare disorders. Drugs for rare mailing costs — hard to beat!
enforcement officers, RCMP, and military disorders automatically mean higher prices
Bruce Keith
police, who spent years arresting people due to a small market. How else can drug
Canmore, Alta.
for illegal drug use and saw first-hand the companies recoup the billions they spend
types of people involved, who were very in research and clinical trials, and have a Your letter is a perfect reminder
often committing other criminal acts, sufficient amount of money left over for to invite members to contact
which led to them being searched and their shareholders? And yes, ‘How much service@federalretirees.ca to arrange
found with illegal drugs such as cannabis. profit is enough?’ is a valid question. for electronic delivery of Sage.
federalretirees.ca SAGE I 5
FEATURE
ALONG
GENDER
LINES
The government is addressing
individual problems for female
veterans but lacks a systemic,
top-down overhaul of Veterans
Affairs programs
ELIZABETH THOMPSON
Sitting in a restaurant in downtown Ottawa, Dr. Karen Breeck still women started doing jobs that in the past
had been reserved for men. In recent years,
has to pause and compose herself when she’s asked about her
those early waves of women have been
transition from military to civilian life 10 years ago. One phone call joining the ranks of Canada’s veterans.
was all it took. Suddenly, her 20-year career as a flight surgeon with Just as the military had to adapt to women,
the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) was over. “I’m not sure I want to making changes to things like equipment
designed for men, now it’s Veterans Affairs
talk about that,” she says. “It was bad. I wish I had access to all the
Canada (VAC) that is being called on to
great programs that are available now for military members.” adapt transition programs and provide aid
to women. Some of the special needs are
Canada has begun to improve its military Women first entered the Canadian medical — incontinence from carrying
transition and veterans program in recent military decades ago but things changed heavy knapsacks, exposure to environmental
years and it is better now than when significantly in 1989 when the government toxins, infertility, military sexual trauma,
Breeck left the military. But there are still opened most military occupations to damage from equipment such as pilots
gaps in the programs available when it comes women. The number of female members helmets that work well for men but are
to the particular needs of women veterans. of the armed forces began to rise and so heavy they strain women’s necks.
6 I SAGE SUMMER 2019 VOL. 22
FEATURE
Others are more psychological or societal But Eichler says things have begun to from military to civilian life. That is very
— homelessness, suicide, lower incomes change. “I think we’re seeing more interest different from past practice, she says.
than their male colleagues, lack of in the subject mostly because of [former “It was not something that was ever
counselling groups specifically for Supreme Court of Canada justice Marie] spoken about. People just left the military,
female veterans. Deschamps’ report, for example. That has they were out within 30 days and they
really brought the issue of the experiences were just gone.”
A paper prepared for the Library of
of female veterans and of military sexual
Parliament by analyst Isabelle Lafontaine- One of the earliest female graduates of
trauma survivors to the forefront, so the
Émond says two groups have lower the Royal Military College, Jardine, 55,
military has been taking the issue more
employment rates and bigger drops in served with the army’s Royal Corps of
seriously. We have also seen more female
income once they leave the military: those Mechanical and Electrical Engineers
veterans organizing and creating their own
who are medically released and female and had 37 years of service, including a
peer-support groups, and then we have seen
veterans. “Three years after they were year in Afghanistan. She was medically
a lot more research attention to the issue.”
released, women had a total income
21-per-cent lower than what they had Among those paying more attention is the
made in the military, while men had exactly current Liberal government, which has
the same income,” she wrote. “Average set a goal of increasing the percentage of “Researchers studying
earnings three years post-release were women in the military from the current gender mainstreaming
51-per-cent lower for women, compared level of 15 to 25 per cent by 2025. It says
with a 34-per-cent decline for men.” it’s aware of the problem and wants to in the military believe
improve things for the women who have
The paper says different approaches
served their country.
that gender-blind policies
are needed for women and for
men. “Researchers studying gender Alex Wellstead, press secretary to Veterans
result in discriminatory
mainstreaming in the military believe that Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay, says outcomes and make life
gender-blind policies result in discriminatory the government planned a Women Veterans
outcomes and make life more difficult for Forum in May to hear from women serving more difficult for women
women than it has to be.” in the military and female veterans about
the problem of gender-specific injuries and
than it has to be.”
Maya Eichler, an assistant professor at Mount
how they can result in inequality in their
Saint Vincent University in Halifax, who has
care and the benefits they receive.
researched the transition from military to
Photo: Jana Chytil
civilian life, says gender blindness is one thing “The focus of the Women Veterans
the old veterans system and the new veterans Forum is to hear directly from female
charter adopted in 2006 have in common. veterans about their experiences and
“We’re trying to address these unique needs to get their ideas on how to best develop
of female veterans but both VAC and CAF policies and programs that meet their
and DND (Department of National Defence) specific needs,” Wellstead explains.
have operated as if gender is not a relevant “The main goal is to leave the forum
category for so long there’s a long legacy to with concrete ideas on how to move
overcome here in terms of thinking about forward: how does VAC continue to
female veterans‘ specific needs.” better engage with the female veteran
population? What are the priorities for
In the absence of action from the military
female veterans that can be worked on
and government, the charitable sector has
in the short, medium, and long term?
stepped in to fill some of the gaps, says
While VAC programs are designed to
Eichler. “The first programs we saw for
help the unique needs of all veterans,
women were, for example, through the
we recognize that there is more to be
Veterans Transition Network. They were one
done for female veterans.”
of the first groups to offer female-specific
services. And, of course, there has been a Col. Nishika Jardine is one of those who has
development of peer support with groups benefited from the military’s new transition As a military doctor, Dr. Karen Breeck knows
the health challenges unique to female
as well but that wasn’t government driven program, which gives members of the
members of the military.
— that was from the charitable sector.” military a six-month period to help move
federalretirees.ca SAGE I 7
FEATURE
Medical care is also on the mind of
Photo: Nishika Jardine
Photo: Ken Lin
Capt. Kate Pentney, a pilot who will
leave the military in the fall with spinal
cord damage as a result of her service.
“I would like someone to manage my
care. I would like a single point that
manages all of my specialists, all of my
prescriptions, all of my care and make
sure that I don’t OD or things like that.”
Pentney has been told her condition
will get worse with time and has been
modifying her home to prepare for the
future. However, she says she could use
more help with childcare. “I think Veterans
Affairs is going to take really good care
of me. They know that I’m broken. They
know that I’m coming.”
However, Pentney says the transition
program isn’t as well adapted as it could
be for people in her situation. She says the
program focuses on preparing for civilian
jobs while she knows she is not likely to
work again. “It has been rough.”
As a military doctor, Breeck, who joined the
National Association of Federal Retirees
in 2009, has seen first-hand some of
Former Snowbird Karen Breeck says the government Col. Nishika Jardine says the military's
the health challenges that are unique to
has moved to address individual problems for female transition program could be improved to female members of the military. “Women,
veterans but there needs to be a more systemic, help people like her translate their military statistically, are being hurt and injured at a
top-down overhaul of veterans programs. experience into civilian CVs.
higher rate than men. We’re being medically
released at a higher rate than men. It’s
taking longer for VAC to make decisions
released in May. “I’m broken, I suppose. Jardine is looking for a job as an executive
about claims from women.” Among the
Military service seems to be harder or as a leadership coach but says the
problems are infertility, miscarriages,
on women. I think it just breaks our transition program could be improved
stillbirths, stress incontinence, chemical
bodies more.” when it comes to helping people like
exposure, repetitive injury, musculoskeletal
her translate their military experience
problems, military sexual trauma, and post-
Six months before her release, Jardine into civilian CVs.
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
was transferred to a transition centre that
Finding a civilian doctor after years of being
allowed her to remain as part of the military For women who need counselling, Breeck
able to rely on military doctors is another
family while she prepared for civilian life. says female veterans either end up lumped
challenge, notes Jardine. “Just at the point
During that time, Jardine remained at full into groups with male colleagues or told
where my medical needs are ramping up
pay and had the option of going to school, to join groups designed for the civilian
because I’m being released for medical
finding a job, or to “do whatever I needed to wives of military officers. However, female
reasons and I’m now middle aged and I
do to get myself started on my new civilian members of the military don’t really fit into
need a family doctor, I can’t find one and
life. I had a lot of support. The transition either group. “We know peer groups matter.
it is so difficult to go around to doctor’s
centre was excellent. I had a nurse case We know group therapy matters. We know
offices and basically beg.”
manager who guided me through all the most men, for group therapy, do better
medical stuff and how to connect in with “If the government could do one thing for in mixed genders. Women do better in
Veterans Affairs and get my disability claims military people, it would be to help them women-only environments. They need
in. I had a lot of help for that.” find a family doctor.” the safe space.”
8 I SAGE SUMMER 2019 VOL. 22
PENSION FOR LIFE PENSION À VIE POUR
FOR VETERANS WITH LES VÉTÉRANS ATTEINTS D’UNE
SERVICE-RELATED INJURY BLESSURE OU D’UNE MALADIE
OR ILLNESS LIÉE AU SERVICE
The new Pension for Life helps you transition to La nouvelle pension à vie vous aide à faire la transition
life after service with the recognition and à la vie après le service grâce à la reconnaissance et au
income support you need. soutien du revenu dont vous avez besoin.
Learn more: veterans.gc.ca/pensionforlife Apprenez-en plus : veterans.gc.ca/pensionavie
1-866-522-2122 1-866-522-2022
FEATURE
Breeck says there have also been veterans programs. “They were designed by
problems in communication between men, for men, about men — so whenever
the armed forces and Veterans Affairs
“If the government women have had issues along the way, we
when it comes to which one is supposed could do one thing for have to, from the bottom up, come up with
to deal with a problem or medical those solutions.”
problems that may be service related. military people, it would
By comparison, in the United States female
“We keep ending up with women who
are not quite put back together.”
be to help them find a veterans are more organized and the
family doctor.” government has put more in place to help
them, says Breeck. “If you look at the U.S.,
Sometimes female veterans only find out
about a longer-term problem after leaving
– Col. Nishika Jardine they’ve got the office of women’s health in
the military but also in [Veterans Affairs]. If
the military. Breeck says doctors don’t
I’m a female and as a veteran in the U.S.,
necessarily have the training to tell whether
Breeck says female veterans are more likely if I think I have something that’s female
things like infertility could be related to
to be single, a single parent, or married related, could it be related? Is my infertility
workplace exposure to chemicals. “Military
to another member of the military — related to service? They have an actual
or civilian, our health-care providers don’t
which means their spouse isn’t as free to 1-800 number that I can call to. I’ve got
have the awareness even if you found the
advocate for their needs the same way a resources. I’ve got research.”
right person who did the right research,
civilian spouse can. “Then if we have left
got the right doc to say, yes, I’ll support In the end, Breeck hopes the experience
and we’re broken a lot of us are alone and
that, it then goes into VAC and VAC has no of those who have already served and can
single. You don’t have the energy to fight.”
women’s health office and no women’s now talk about their experiences will lead
health [subject matter experts], which is Breeck says the government has moved to improvements for those who follow in
why, to me, the women’s claims are taking to address individual problems for female their footsteps. “It’s not even about us,”
much longer because nobody knows what veterans as they arise but what is lacking says Breeck. “We want to make it better
to do about them.” is a more systemic, top-down overhaul of for the next generation.” p
Retirees Among Those To
Benefit From New Hearing Aid
Try newly released hearing aids ideal for the modern lifestyle:
full surround sound, plenty of power, & no more feedback! ‡
Just weeks ago, a brand new hearing aid line was tions—greatly improving your ability to hear and Make hands-free calls from your smartphone,
released to the public and it’s transforming the hear- comprehend speech, even in noisy environments. or stream audio from your phone, stereo, TV, or
ing experience for its wearers. Most hearing aids have to reduce gain other Bluetooth® enabled devices. These can even
Most hearing aids deal with background noise us- (amplification strength) to avoid causing feed- be purchased with a rechargeable lithium-ion bat-
ing directional microphones that focus only right in back. Not these! These new hearing aids eliminate tery option.
front of you--like blinders for your ears. No more! obnoxious screeching and whistling before it even Yes, the future of hearing is here and it sounds
These new hearing aids process signals so excep- starts—while maintaining necessary gain. better than ever. Call now to try these hearing
tionally fast, they handle sound from all direc- Connecting to your modern lifestyle is easy! aids for yourself!
Call 1-855-750-1847 to book your FREE appointment or book your appointment online at: HearingLife.ca/SAGE
No-cost hearing tests are provided to adults ages 19 and older. A fee will apply for a copy of your audiogram. Child hearing tests are conducted at select locations Promo Code
for a fee, please contact us for more information. ‡ https://www.oticon.ca/hearing-aid-users/hearing-aids/products/opn-s
MAG-RETH-SAGE
10 I SAGE SUMMER 2019 VOL. 22Relocate with the National Association
of Federal Retirees and RSG.
Discover the benefits that 60 years of industry knowledge and experience make!
Through your Federal Retirees membership,
you and your family members qualify for:
Cash Back Refund
on your real estate purchases
& sales coordinated through RSG
Guaranteed Pricing
(reduce stress & save money)
on packing and moving services
“I was so pleased with the
Complimentary Bill Auditing entire move from start to finish.
The company was very professional
before you pay your moving bill and made sure that
all my furniture as well as
Applicable for local or my boxes were handled with care.
My furniture was so well
long distance moving. protected. I would not hesitate
recommending Relocation Services
Group to anyone that is moving.
The staff went above and beyond
to see that my needs were met.”
- Diane R., N.A.F.R. member
R elocation
S ervices
G roup.com
Call 1-866-865-5504
For client testimonials and more information visit,
www.relocationservicesgroup.com/federalretireesFEATURE
PROMISES,
PROMISES
The Liberal government has a
system in place to measure if it’s
living up to the marching orders
the PM gave to cabinet ministers
KATHRYN MAY
Senior bureaucrat Matthew Mendelsohn has stayed in the shadows done. The idea of open mandate letters,
based very heavily on the [election]
as Canada’s first chief deliveryman, but as the election approaches
platform, create a very clear sense of
the spotlight will turn on his “results and delivery” unit to see how the government mandate.”
many of the Trudeau government’s promises came true.
In the letters, Trudeau told his ministers
A first stop will be the mandate letters Prime But Mendelsohn says the public release he expected them to “track and report”
Minister Justin Trudeau sent to each of his of these letters, along with the online on their commitments and “over the course
cabinet ministers. They laid out ministers’ “mandate tracker,” which monitors of our four-year mandate I expect us to
marching orders and the governing plan for ministers’ progress on achieving the deliver on all our commitments.” Trudeau
the next four years. Until Trudeau, these ritual commitments outlined in those letters, clearly wants to go to the polls in October
letters to ministers were secret, not even are crucial for “transparency, driving with as many of those commitments
deputy ministers were supposed to see them. accountability and helping to get things checked off as “completed or fully met.”
12 I SAGE SUMMER 2019 VOL. 22FEATURE
The original 2015 mandate letters gave of government, so tax dollars would be better
ministers 289 tasks, but that list has since spent and targeted to provide better care.
swelled to 432. The government has had four “Seniors, the largest growing
Dr. Samir Sinha, one of the architects of a
cabinet shuffles with new mandate letters
proposed national seniors’ strategy, says demographic in the country,
that reflected new priorities in the wake of
an opioid crisis, a crashing federal payroll
mandate letters reveal the government’s absolutely should have a
direction and values. Those are strong signals
system, a flood of migrants at the border,
and, of course, the election of U.S. President
for advocates to align parts of a national dedicated voice advocating
seniors’ strategy with a minister’s mandate.
Donald Trump, which helped add another
“I see them as a starting point and we looked
for their unique needs
143 priorities to ministers’ to-do list. With the
pre-election goodies announced in Finance
through them to see what aligns with the within cabinet…”
strategy.” He notes the strategy’s research
Minister Bill Morneau’s federal budget in – Jean-Guy Soulière
and evidence became key when then-health
March, the tracker indicated the government
minister Jane Philpott was negotiating
had fulfilled 47 per cent of original promises;
the health accord with provinces and tied
dropping to a 37-per-cent completion rate
$6 billion of the Canada Health Transfer to hospitals because they don’t have the
for the 432 commitments.
home care. He also says politicians shouldn’t integrated care in their communities
Critics have dismissed the mandate be assailed for backing down on pledges that would help them live independently.
tracker as politically self-serving and self- in mandate letters if the evidence doesn’t They need community-care programs,
congratulatory, but the biggest complaint is support them or could end up causing harm. home care, nursing-home care, long-term
there are too many priorities. Four or five facilities, and hospitals to work together.
The upcoming election will be the first in
clear, high-profile priorities are manageable Informal caregivers also need recognition
which the concerns of older Canadians and
“but 432 means everything is a priority,” says and support to address the financial and
a national seniors’ strategy will be a campaign
one official. Any failures, however, leave the health challenges of caring for a loved one.
issue for all parties. Canada is the only country
Liberals wide-open to opposition attacks for But the strategy goes beyond health and
in the G-8 that doesn’t have one. There is a
breaking promises. must tackle poverty, financial insecurity,
growing momentum across the country for
elder abuse, loneliness, and social inclusion.
Most Canadians will likely never read a a strategy to deal with our aging population,
mandate letter nor look at the tracker, but dominated by post-war baby boomers moving A national strategy has the full blessing of
advocacy and lobby groups watched both beyond age 65 and living longer. seniors’ advocacy groups and the Canadian
closely in their effort to sway public policy. Medical Association. Nine organizations,
Seniors advocates say a national strategy is
including Federal Retirees, representing more
an issue that transcends partisan politics but
Seniors’ strategy needed seniors do turn out in large numbers — up to
than 4 million seniors have coalesced under
A national seniors’ strategy never made it a “Vibrant Voices” banner. The seniors’
80 per cent — to vote.
into a mandate letter but is a top priority strategy concept was backed by Liberal MP
for seniors advocacy groups. The Trudeau “Federal Retirees has long advocated for Marc Serré’s private members bill and studied
government implemented policies that a national seniors’ strategy that focuses by Senate and House committees. It’s now
moved the yardstick on improving the social, on home care, housing, and age-friendly in the hands of a revitalized National Seniors
health and economic lives of older Canadians community life,” says Sayward Montague, Council, an external advisory committee,
since elected but more remains to be done. director of advocacy for the National to report back with recommendations.
Association of Federal Retirees. “A strategy
Many were disappointed by the Liberals’
Some of those initiatives include: steps would provide a blueprint for an integrated
inattention to seniors’ issues until the
towards pharmacare; modifications to continuum of care to meet the needs
2019 budget, which finally announced a
bankruptcy legislation aiming to help of a growing seniors population, supporting
variety of pre-election goodies aimed at
pensioners; $6 billion plowed into home a strong economy across the country
older Canadians. Many of those measures,
care; $50 million into the study of dementia; and across generations.”
however, may not be implemented unless
$100 million in the New Horizons for Seniors
What it boils down to is that care for the Liberals are re-elected.
Fund for community programs to get
Canada’s mushrooming seniors’ population
seniors involved and prevent social isolation. Laura Tamblyn Watts, the national director of
won’t get better unless it is co-ordinated.
Advocates want the federal government to law, policy, and research with the Canadian
take the lead and adopt a national strategy Seniors are the biggest users of the Association of Retired Persons, says the
to stitch together the patchwork of policies, health-care system. Too many, especially government came to power and quickly
scattered in different departments and levels those with chronic diseases, end up in made two big changes — reversed the
federalretirees.ca SAGE I 13FEATURE
Conservatives’ decision to increase Phoenix and beyond
the eligibility age for Old Age Security to As an employer, the Trudeau government
67 from 65 and increased the Guaranteed has mixed reviews. It quickly took steps
Income Supplement — but did little else. to live up to its election promise to
“They did nothing for three years. Not restore respect to the public service
only was there no seniors’ policy, but after a decade of Conservative cuts
there was no seniors minister.” and attacks. It set a conciliatory tone
by unwinding Tory-era legislation that
The Liberals had four ministers responsible many felt gutted workers’ collective
for children and youth but there wasn’t a bargaining rights and negotiated dozens
minister for seniors until the summer of 2018 of new collective agreements for its
when Filomena Tassi was appointed. “Minister 300,000 employees.
Tassi’s appointment was a victory for seniors,”
Jean-Guy Soulière, president of the Federal But those wins with the public service
Retirees, said at the time. “Seniors, the were overshadowed by the lingering
largest growing demographic in the country, Phoenix payroll disaster. After three
absolutely should have a dedicated voice years, public servants — most of whom
advocating for their unique needs within have been overpaid, underpaid, or not
Filomena Tassi is the first minister for seniors.
cabinet, from the beginning of a government’s paid at all — still look at their pay every
mandate right through to the end, frankly.” two weeks and wonder if it’s right.
What’s been done so far
increased the Guaranteed Income
Supplement (GIS) and in the 2019 budget
introduced the automatic enrolment into
What the Liberals have done so far Home care the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) of those
in light of what advocates want as A big win for seniors came in the 2017 over the age of 70 who have neglected
budget, which used the Canada Health to apply, about 40,000 people. They will
part of a national seniors’ strategy.
Transfer to pump $6 billion into home care also receive payments at the higher rate
over 10 years. The federal and provincial given to those who deliberately delay
Pharamacare governments are working out agreements collecting CPP until age 70.
Affordable medication is a big concern for on measuring performance and how the
seniors and its advocates who widely support The budget also increased the GIS earnings
money will be spent.
a universal, single-payer system. Canadians exemption for low-income seniors to $5,000
pay the third-highest drug prices in the world from $3,500, allowing more earnings before
Dementia strategy
for prescription drugs. Brand-name medicines GIS benefits are clawed back.
A national dementia strategy is part of
cost on average 20-per-cent more in Canada
the seniors’ strategy and the 2019 budget
than other advanced economies. Workplace pensions
earmarked $50 million to the Public Health
Seniors advocates have long been pressing
The Liberals have taken steps towards Agency of Canada over five years to
for legislative changes to better protect
pharmacare, adopting some of the initial increase awareness; develop treatment
workers’ pensions in the event of corporate
recommendations of the advisory council guidelines; best practices for early
bankruptcies, such as the collapse of
it created to study the implementation diagnosis; and studying its prevalence. This
Sears Canada, which left pensioners with
of pharmacare. The council’s final report funding will support the implementation of
significantly reduced pension payments
is expected in June. The 2019 budget the national strategy, which was expected
and no health and dental benefits.
announced the creation of a Canadian this spring.
Drug Agency to manage the country’s first Firstly, some would like to see retirees
national formulary — a list of drugs covered Public Pensions have “super priority” when companies
regardless of ability to pay. The agency will Improving pensions is considered key to go bankrupt so they are the first in line
have bulk-buying powers and lead price seniors’ financial security and reducing of creditors for the pension funds
negotiations with drug companies. those living in poverty. The Liberals they’ve paid into.
14 I SAGE SUMMER 2019 VOL. 22FEATURE
Phoenix has already cost $1 billion Grappling with pensions plans, the government would set its sights
to “stabilize” and it will be years before Bill C-27, the politically charged pension on the pensions of Canada’s public servants,
it is fixed. Work to find a replacement legislation that federal workers feared military, and RCMP.
is underway but it’s unclear when it would create a dangerous precedent in the Morneau was cleared of the conflict allegations
will be ready. The 2019 budget offered pension landscape, seems to have died as but the bill stalled and never moved past
no money for a new system. In early quietly as it appeared more than two years first reading. Unions suspect the government
May, unions and the government reached ago. Finance Minister Bill Morneau found simply let it die because of the political grief
a deal over damages to compensate himself accused of conflict interest over the caused and heavy lobbying by labour and
employees and retirees for hardships proposed legislation, which the opposition retirees, who still want the bill withdrawn.
faced for not getting paid on time and alleged would benefit his family business,
properly. Retirees will get paid leave Morneau Shepell. The bill would have “Our members have worked together to stop
for the years they worked, which they allowed federally regulated employers and moves like Bill C-27 and policy that would put
can take in cash, plus any damage claims Crown corporations to set up target-benefit retirement security at risk for many Canadians,
they have for the third tier of the deal. pension plans — where benefits would no and this is the result of our collective strength,”
They are also in tense contract talks with longer be guaranteed and, therefore, shift says Soulière. “But we know that retirement
unions that could drag into the election. risk — instead of defined-benefit plans. security is at risk in our current environment,
Luckily, pensions have been largely so we’ll be working to make sure our next
unaffected due to quick strategy from The bill sparked a furor among federal government, whatever its political stripe,
the Pension Centre to prevent polluted unions and retirees who feared if Crown makes retirement security a priority for
pay data infecting pensions. corporations converted to target-benefit current and next generations of retirees.”
Second, a pooled-risk insurance fund should issue is loosening the rules for Registered Age-friendly cities
be created to make up for shortfalls of Retirement Income Funds (RRIF) requiring and communities
underfunded pensions should employers those over 71 to withdraw from their RRIFs. Seniors advocates say cities need to be
go out of business or are unable to pay The 2019 budget introduced advanced accessible for an aging population with
retirement benefits in full. This requires an life annuities, allowing seniors to withdraw better legislation that makes workplaces and
amendment to the Income Tax Act to allow 25 per cent of their RRIFs, to help seniors homes more accessible. They also call for
employers with defined-contribution plans worried about outliving their savings minimum standards in the National Building
to pool the assets of their retired members to create a guaranteed income stream Code. With more couples living longer in their
to improve economies of scale, better after they turn 85. homes, there’s a move to change the popular
management, and long-term risk protection. $10,000 tax credit for home renovations so it
Social Isolation is available to each resident to accommodate
The 2019 budget promised insolvency people living together with different needs.
The 2019 budget topped up the popular
proceedings will be made fairer, more
New Horizons Fund with $100 million
transparent, and more accessible for
over five years — an ongoing $20 million Caregiver benefits
pensioners and workers. This includes
a year. This fund is key for the work More than 8 million Canadians are
giving courts more power to review
of community and volunteer groups informally caring for a friend or family and
payments to corporate executives in
to promote projects or programs about a million of them are over 65. This
the lead up to insolvency.
aimed at seniors to reduce the risk invisible workforce is saving billions of
Federally-incorporated firms will be of social isolation. dollars in the health-care system but face
required to disclose policies pertaining their own risks and need additional financial
to workers, pensioners, and executive Affordable housing support. Advocates are pressing for
compensation. Federal pension law will The government introduced a national refundable, not earned, tax credits because
be clarified to ensure terminated pension housing strategy with a focus on seniors. many can’t work because they are caring
plans provide the same benefits as when There is also the National Co-Investment for family. They also want compassionate
the plan was active. Fund, which promises the construction, care leave changed so caregivers can
repair, and renewal of housing units for take leave to support an ill family member
A long-standing battle that some seniors, with at least 12,000 new affordable without a medical certificate certifying the
advocates expect will be an election units specially dedicated to seniors. patient could die within six months.
federalretirees.ca SAGE I 15FEATURE
Debi Daviau, president of the Professional given the perceived large swing vote of the Budgetary Office backed up their complaint.
Institute of the Public Service, says public veteran community to the Liberal party in It compared the various pension regimes
service pensions will continue to be a future 2015, largely based on the prime minister’s veterans have enjoyed since the First World
target. Governments’ grappling with deficits, campaign promises to address the veterans’ War and found pensions before 2006 were
low interest rates, and an aging workforce agenda and the Equitas lawsuit.” the most generous with veterans receiving,
will invariably look for ways to reduce on average, 1.5 times more over their
The anger over the Trudeau government’s
pension costs. “We are always worried about lifetime than under the Liberals’ latest plan.
plan revolves around complaints about
attacks on our pensions. They are always a
fairness and equality that have smoldered This inequity was also at the core of the
prime target, like when the Liberals scooped
among different generations of veterans Equitas lawsuit, a class action launched by
the plan’s surplus years ago,” says Daviau.
for years. A promise to re-establish a life- veterans of the Afghan war. They claimed
“There is no reason to modernize existing
long pension as “an option” for veterans lifetime pensions under the Pension Act paid
pension plans, just create plans for those
was embedded as a key task in four of the older veterans, who served in the Second
who don’t have them.”
mandate letters for the revolving door of World War and Korea and other tours of duty
Veterans Affairs ministers who have held before 2006, more generously than those
Veterans still frustrated the post over the past four years. who served in recent conflicts. The Supreme
Few Canadians feel as angry, frustrated, and Court of Canada dismissed the case, which
disenchanted with Liberal election promises The battle for lifetime pensions goes back
has pushed the issue back into the political
as some of the country’s 658,000 veterans. more than a decade when lifetime pensions
arena and squarely on the campaign trial.
The Liberals made a raft of promises to under the old Pension Act were switched to
address the anger veterans heaped on the a series of lump-sum payments under the While it is still too early to know the effects
Conservatives after a decade of cuts. They New Veterans Charter, conceived by Paul of the new Pension for Life program, there
claim to have pumped more than $10 billion Martin’s Liberals and enacted in 2006 with are lingering concerns about the difficulties
into veteran services and benefits since all-party support. of Veterans Affairs Canada’s application
2015. According to the mandate tracker, processes. Changing legislation and policy
For years, veterans bitterly complained the
the Liberals say they have delivered on environments under multiple ministers
new lump-sum payment and other benefits
more than half of those promises and has not helped these concerns. The trust
were not as generous as the old ones.
the rest are well underway. some veterans have in the system has been
Trudeau promised to re-establish life-long
shaken, which situations such as the VAC
pensions, which veterans widely took to
A pledge for life-long pensions brought underpayment blunder do little to resolve. In
mean that the pre-2006 regime was coming
Trudeau widespread support from former late 2018, the former Veterans Ombudsman
back. Instead, the government introduced
service members in the last election, but Guy Parent and his office found that 270,000
its own version: Pension for Life.
some veteran advocates say the new disabled veterans of the CAF and RCMP, and
Pension for Life plan he introduced is But critics claim that plan, which came into their survivors, were underpaid between 2003
engendering a sense of betrayal that could effect April 1, will create three classes of and 2010, to the tune of $165 million. The
cost votes this time. “The alienation of the veterans. New applicants will be entitled error was identified and corrected in 2011, but
veterans’ community in an election year to less than those who applied since 2006 repayments are only set to start in 2020. “We
does not make for good politics,” says Brian and considerably less than those who were encouraged by the government securing
Forbes, chairman of the National Council of started receiving their pension payments the funds needed to do the right thing and
Veteran Associations. “This is particularly so before 2006. A report by the Parliamentary pay veterans and their survivors what is owed
to them,” says Montague, “but this must be
prioritized, especially for low-income veterans
Mandate Letter Tracker: Delivering results for Canadians
(Progress as of May 6, 2019) and their survivors, as soon as possible.”
Completed/Met Progress Made Not Met Brad White, executive director of the Royal
Canadian Legion, says veterans’ issues
shouldn’t be political because governments,
not parties, send military personnel into
conflict and “have collective responsibility”
to take care of them when they return
injured or not well. He also says it’s too early
to pan the Liberals’ Pension for Life program
because it is barely off the ground.
16 I SAGE SUMMER 2019 VOL. 22FEATURE
It’s a sentiment Soulière agrees with. Improved support for veterans, especially
“Financial well-being is incredibly important during transition from military to civilian life,
— a cornerstone for a secure, dignified, and
“The alienation of the is a longstanding concern of the Federal
meaningful life after service to Canada. We’re veterans’ community in Retirees. The 2019 budget expanded access
still working to understand how Pension for to support from the Canadian Armed Forces
Life will meet veterans’ and families’ financial an election year does not Transition Group to ensure all CAF members,
needs, and how this package delivers
an easy-to-access, uncomplicated set of
make for good politics.” not just the ill and injured, get better
personalized support.
benefits to veterans.” – Brian Forbes The government also doubled funding for
For some, the best solution rests with the the Last Post Fund to ensure all veterans
Ministerial Policy Advisory Group, which get a decent burial and developed a suicide
recommended a plan that combines the best workers and front-line staff — although prevention strategy for the military and
parts of the old and new ones that would be there is a still a backlog of cases. It increased veterans. It announced a $20-million centre
fair and equitable for all disabled veterans. But benefits for injured veterans so they received for excellence for chronic pain, which
others say the debate also highlights the need 90 per cent of their former military salary; and veterans face at twice the rate of Canadians.
for legislation to spell out the government’s boosted disability awards for injured veterans
The feds are still grappling with a
obligations for the military or what soldiers to $360,000 to cover the “pain and suffering.”
ongoing demand to get rid of the archaic
call the “social covenant” or “sacred
It invested $25 million and loosened the “gold-diggers” clause, which prevents
obligation” that Sir Robert Borden made when
eligibility for permanent impairment allowance surviving spouses of veterans from collecting
he addressed troops in the First World War.
— renamed the career impact allowance — pensions if the retiree married after age 60.
The Trudeau government can lay claim so more wounded veterans qualify for higher The budget, however, tagged $120 million
to addressing a slew of veterans’ policy benefit if the injuries and illness suffered in for a new Veterans Survivors Fund, which
complaints. They re-opened nine Veterans the line of duty limited their post-military will also help survivors of public servants
Affairs’ regional offices and hired more case career options. and RCMP. p
After record rebates in 2018 Available directly through
Management Expense Ratio Tradex in Ontario, Quebec
is 1.03% vs 2.18% TRADEX & British Columbia or
category average EQUITY through quality dealers &
FUND LTD. discount brokers in all
Canadian jurisdictions
Savings of Founded by Public Servants
53%
in April 1960 exclusively
for Public Servants and their
families
Tradex Management Inc.
www.tradex.ca | 1600-85 Albert St., Ottawa, ON K1P 6A4
info@tradex.ca | 613-233-3394
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus
before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performances may not be repeated.
federalretirees.ca SAGE I 17You can also read
