The Fraser Valley West branch met with MP Sukh Dhaliwal, centre. He is flanked by member Mohni Khanna and branch president Ian Spence.
Volunteers are working hard to deliver value to members through advocacy, speaking about Federal Retirees priorities every chance they get — and getting results.
Windsor branch’s advocacy
Knowing how important advocacy is to members, the Windsor branch is using every opportunity to engage MPs.
Volunteers sent letters to their members of Parliament, outlining Federal Retirees’ priorities and requesting meetings.
Advocacy volunteer Larry Duffield met separately with MPs Irek Kusmierczyk, Brian Masse and Chris Lewis to discuss long-term care. Branch president Dan Hebert joined Duffield to meet MP Dave Epp.
Hebert represented Federal Retirees at the Seniors Month flag-raising ceremony at Windsor City Hall. Volunteers also participated in a flag-raising ceremony to mark National Seniors Day and the International Day of Older Persons. A lunch meeting followed the ceremony, during which Masse led a discussion on several topics of interest to older adults, including long-term care.
Kusmierczyk spoke to branch members at their annual meeting. MPs also attended the branch’s 60th anniversary celebration and a branch luncheon, ensuring they remain mindful of our priorities and these valuable relationships are maintained.
“This ongoing advocacy has allowed the branch to build relationships with local MPs and deliver more value to branch members by creating regular opportunities for them to meet and engage with their own MPs,” says Sharon McGovern, advocacy program officer (APO) for Ontario West.
As a direct result of their advocacy efforts, branch representatives were selected to be on Kusmierczyk’s seniors advisory committee, which meets periodically to discuss issues important to seniors. Committee members are also invited to meet with visiting ministers — and the prime minister.
“This provides quite special access to convey concerns to senior policy leaders,” Duffield says. “I certainly feel privileged to have this opportunity to promote Federal Retirees’ priorities.”
Fraser Valley West branch
This branch hosted a panel discussion, highlighting local support services available to help older adults age in their homes and communities. A total of 175 members and guests attended this event, as did local panellists.
Events such as these are a great way of engaging branch members about the importance of our advocacy priorities, while also providing useful resources and connections for members.
In the run-up to the next federal election, the branch is focused on meeting as many MPs as possible.
Branch president Ian Spence, along with branch member and local constituent Mohni Khanna, met with MP Sukh Dhaliwal at his constituency office.
“We focused on the need for improved supports for home care and national standards for long-term care. Mr. Dhaliwal showed particular interest in the proposal to make the caregivers tax credit a refundable credit to benefit families caring for a loved one at home,” Spence reports.
For volunteers aiming to secure MP meetings and engage their communities, including members who are constituents of the MP is a good strategy.
Spence and volunteer Don McKay met with MP Ken Hardie on challenges with the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) transition to Canada Life, and the need for mandatory national standards for long-term and home care.
Spence joined branch directors Leslie Gaudette, Bernd Hirsekorn and Judy McLellan for a meeting with MP Kerry- Lynne Findlay.
This meeting focused on key Federal Retirees priorities, including pharmacare, a national seniors strategy and national standards for long-term care and home care. Access to care and challenges with the PSHCP transition to Canada Life were also addressed.
As the meeting was wrapping up, Findlay indicated an interest in meeting again, providing the branch a perfect opportunity to plan for their next meeting.
Advocacy fun in N.S.
For their 60th anniversary, N.S. Central branch volunteers wanted to plan something new and fun that combined the social aspect of branch activities with advocacy and member recruitment. They decided to host a meet-and-mingle celebration and recruitment event.
Along with members, local political representatives and preferred partners were invited.
“We were delighted our efforts were so successful,” said Cathy Lively, branch vice-president at the time. “Two MPs attended, along with staff of the third MP. As a bonus, we now have contact information for several political staff members and can keep them updated on the association’s work.”
One such connection between Lively and a member of MP Darrell Samson’s staff resulted in an offer to arrange a meeting with the MP, who was then parliamentary secretary to the minister of Veterans Affairs.
As a result, Federal Retirees president Roy Goodall, CEO Anthony Pizzino and advocacy director Sayward Montague met with Samson — a perfect example of the power of advocacy being done at the local and national levels.
“Another highlight was having an attendee, who is a veteran, proclaim her excitement over the Women Veterans Research and Engagement Network (WREN) which was featured at the event,” Lively said.
In terms of advice for fellow volunteers, Lively recommends combining advocacy and branch events for maximum impact and benefit to members.
Newfoundland APO joins provincial committee
Advocacy program officer Marilyn Best was invited to serve on the Newfoundland and Labrador government’s newly established community stakeholder committee, as part of its review of long-term care and personal home care programs.
Comprised of representatives from various community advocacy groups, committee members share their experiences and knowledge concerning seniors and continuing care with the expert advisory panel.
The goal is to improve quality of care and quality of life for residents and the work-life balance and working conditions of staff.
This is an excellent example of the great work being done in every district across the country by our volunteer APOs.
Saskatoon branch thinking ahead
Advocacy volunteer Shawna Murphy and branch president Myrene Mollison met with the provincial NDP’s Saskatoon caucus to introduce these members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) to Federal Retirees, explain our advocacy priorities, seek the caucus’ commitment to support these priorities and determine how to work together.
“Our dialogue focused on supports for seniors in the community and the need for mandatory standards tied to funding in long-term care facilities in Saskatchewan. We all shared our experience with the system of long-term care and agreed the system requires a significant overhaul,” Murphy says. “Thinking ahead, we agreed to keep the MLAs in the loop about advocacy we undertake for the upcoming provincial election and the caucus indicated it would be very happy to participate in an election town hall to discuss issues important to our members.”
Often when we think about advocacy, we think about individual meetings with MPs, which are important. But there are many ways members can get involved. With provincial elections in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick this year, and the next federal election on the way, this work is more important now than ever. And we need your help. To get involved, contact your local branch or email advocacyteam@federalretirees.ca.