National advocacy
The national office's advocacy department focuses on issues of concern to the nation-wide membership. View our national advocacy activities here.
Edmonton Branch regularly participates with other Alberta branches in provincial and national advocacy initiatives.
The branch regularly receives invitations from various provincial government departments to participate in advisory forums on issues of importance to seniors.
A recent concern is the Alberta Government decision to look into replacing the Alberta portion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) with a separate Alberta pension plan, similar to the Quebec Pension Plan. This action could greatly affect the current CPP, possibly limiting investment options for Alberta Pension funds.
Members are encouraged to contact us when they have issues that they feel need to be addressed. Contact information is available on the contact us page.
Edmonton Branch advocacy
Federal Retirees continues to take a leadership role in attempting to have the seniors’ advocate position in Alberta re-established. Currently, the seniors advocate position remains buried in the health ministry with a limited role. District Director Rick Brick has taken the leadership role in this effort, and has drafted an effective, compelling, and powerful letter to the premier expressing concern over the change to the seniors advocate position. To date, the provincial government has taken no action on this front. It is Federal Retirees’ position that the senior’s advocate should be an independent office reporting to the legislature. To date there has been no movement on the part of the government, but we continue to press the issue.