Even during this challenging time, the Federal Retirees volunteer team is stepping up to support the Association’s mission.
Federal election campaign
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic meant the 2021 federal election was like no other, Federal Retirees advocacy volunteers still made a big impact.
Volunteers across the country connected with their local candidates to make sure they understood Federal Retirees’ priorities. Several branches hosted webinar townhalls or candidate interviews, which were recorded and made available for viewing on the Federal Retirees website. Others sent letters, emails, and in some rare cases (where public health directives allowed it), hosted in-person events.
There were far too many volunteer efforts to capture them all in only a couple of pages, but we are proud to share some highlights and information on how you can be part of our momentum.
A webinar townhall in B.C.
Federal Retirees’ B.C. advocacy team, in partnership with the B.C. Council of Senior Citizens Organizations (COSCO), hosted a special 75-minute discussion featuring candidates Rachel Blaney (NDP), Ken Hardie (Liberal) and Mike Simpson (Green). The Conservative party did not send a candidate.
“By working with partner organizations in various events across the province, we were able to amplify our message and bring attention to our priorities as Federal Retirees, not only with the candidates from various parties, but also among other retiree groups and the public at large,” says Leslie Gaudette, advocacy program officer for B.C.
“The connections we make with politicians from all parties while they are campaigning, by raising the issues in a respectful, non-partisan manner, make it easier to open the doors to our representatives after their election,” adds Ian Spence, Fraser Valley West branch president.
Candidate interviews in Alberta
Federal Retirees’ Southern Alberta Branch president Richard Chevrier and vice-president Maria Fitzpatrick interviewed local candidates on Association priorities.
“The primary raison d’etre of Federal Retirees is to advocate for improvements to the financial security, health and well-being of our members, as well as for all older Canadians,” Chevrier says. “Because of COVID, we weren’t able to host a townhall for this election. Instead, these video interviews provided a way for our members to hear from their local candidates about their positions on Federal Retirees’ priorities.”
These interviews were produced in collaboration with local radio station Jess FM and shared on the Jess TV YouTube channel.
Virtual information sessions in Ottawa
The Ottawa Branch collaborated with the Ottawa chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) and the Council on Aging of Ottawa, to hold eight virtual information sessions with local candidates — one in each Ottawa riding.
“These sessions were a great way to ensure our members could hear from their candidates from the safety of their own homes and at their convenience, while also making sure all candidates were aware of our priorities,” Ottawa branch president Robert Giroux says.
A webinar townhall in Quebec
This special two-hour election discussion, hosted by the Outaouais Branch, featured candidates from across the region, including Yves Destroismaisons (Bloc Québécois), Shaughn McArthur (Green), Samuel Gendron (NDP), Sandrine Perion (Conservative) and Steven MacKinnon (Liberal).
“Holding an election townhall as a webinar allowed us to do something we couldn’t do in-person. And bringing together candidates from across the region helped make the townhall easily accessible to members across Quebec,” Outaouais branch president Donald Déry says.
Special thanks go to the Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées (AQDR) Outaouais for helping make this event possible.
A webinar townhall in N.B.
The COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t stop the Fredericton & District Branch from hosting a federal election townhall. They’ve hosted one for past elections, and this election was no different, even if it meant the format had to change.
With help from Association staff, the branch hosted a 90-minute webinar election discussion featuring candidates Jenica Atwin (Liberal), Andrea Johnson (Conservative), Nicole O’Byrne (Green) and Shawn Oldenburg (NDP).
“We were very pleased with how the session went. I don’t think we could have asked for better participation by the candidates. All agreed to attend, and all were very respectful during the session. We had some great answers to the questions,” Fredericton branch advocacy volunteer John Richards says.
“One point that really struck me was a comment made by our incumbent MP, Jenica Atwin. She recalled the all-candidate Q&A session we hosted live prior to the 2019 election. Apparently, it was her first public Q&A session and she recalled being nervous,” Richards says. “This comment shows that she knows who Federal Retirees is and what our goals are. From that perspective, it’s mission accomplished (or maybe started); we know that our MP in Fredericton knows about Federal Retirees.”
“This recognition and knowledge of Federal Retirees by MPs is so important because it means they know us, they know our priorities and they will be there when we need them,” says Dorma Grant, N.B. advocacy program officer.
“Congratulations to the Fredericton branch for achieving the goal of Reach 338 — making sure their MP is aware of, and understands, Federal Retirees’ priorities, and building that relationship and name recognition,” says Léonard LeBlanc, director in the Association’s Atlantic district.
A candidate townhall in P.E.I.
Charlottetown and Summerside branches both planned candidate townhalls for the Federal Election. Low COVID-19 cases meant public health guidelines allowed for such events in P.E.I., and members looked forward to hearing directly from their local candidates and having the chance to tell their candidates what matters most to Federal Retirees. The Summerside event was a great success.
“Election townhalls are a favourite event of members,” says Shirley Pierce, advocacy program officer for P.E.I. “They are well-attended by our local candidates, who understand the importance of hearing from Federal Retirees.”
Unfortunately, the Charlottetown event had to be called off due to a local spike in COVID cases.
Emailing candidates
Although it wasn’t possible to meet many candidates in person, as in past elections, that didn’t stop volunteers from having important conversations with their local candidates.
Branches across the country sent candidates in their area emails about Federal Retirees and volunteers were pleased to hear back from candidates they emailed.
“Candidate Jim Carr called to check in,” says Ceci O’Flaherty, Winnipeg branch president. “He wanted to reiterate that he knows Federal Retirees has very important priorities and that his party (and he personally) is very committed to implementing some of those priorities. I was impressed that Mr. Carr personally followed up. It just goes to show the importance of the work we are doing to build recognition with candidates and government representatives.”
Michelle Langille, Nova Scotia advocacy program officer, agrees.
“Advocacy may look a little different during COVID-19, but so many of our volunteers have rallied to ensure they still reach their candidates and government representatives, and it is paying off,” Langille says.
What happens next?
The federal election may be over, but Federal Retirees advocacy remains as important as ever — especially with big provincial elections on the horizon for Ontario and Quebec in 2022, and the prospect of another federal election, which is always a risk with a minority government.
Across the country, volunteers are hard at work connecting with their local government representatives and ensuring every MP, in every riding, is aware of — and understands — Federal Retirees’ priorities.
Get involved: Join Reach 338
Join our Reach 338 team — a nationwide network of advocates in each of Canada’s 338 federal ridings — and be part of the Federal Retirees teams pushing the federal and provincial governments for better health outcomes for our members and all older Canadians.
There are many ways to get involved in Reach 338. And the best part? It’s easy and flexible. You choose how and when to get involved.