a) A survey of the major political parties on their positions regarding ACER-CART policies.
b) The appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
c) The informative quarterly reports from Pierre Drouin, and Director comments and updates.
d) Policies suggested by the Health Services and Insurance Committee  with respect to Health Care in Canada.
e) The significant progress made with the website’s development.
f) Support offered to the B.C.T.F. for its job action regarding class size/composition and working/learning conditions.
g) Participation in lobbying for an effective federal seniors’ secretariate.
h) Participation in the “National Roundtable on Seniors,” a consultation session with
Liberal Minister Tony Ianno.
i) Applications submitted for “New Horizons” programme funding.

A. THAT ACER-CART apply incorporation as a non-profit corporation under the Canada Corporations Act, part II.
B. THAT the Executive Director investigates the implications of registering ACER-CART as a charity (charitable status) under the Income Tax Act.
C. THAT ACER-CART extend its membership in the Canadian Caregiver Coalition for 2006-2007 at a total cost to ACER-CART of $100.
D. THAT ACER-CART apply for membership in the International Network for the Prevention of Edler Abuse.
E. THAT ACER-CART support the United Nations’ declaration of June 15 as Elder Abuse
Awareness Day.

Val Alcock, the ACER-CART official representative to the Congress of National Seniors Organization (CNSO) presented her report for 2005-06. She noted that:

a) CNSO is the largest umbrella group for seniors organizations in Canada, and is in the process of being incorporated.
b) It has been involved in the development of a disaster Emergency Response Plan for seniors.
c) Funding is a problem for many seniors organizations.
d) It is estimated that seniors provide one million hours of care giving worth $4 billion.

The following motions were passed:

A. THAT ACER-CART continue its membership in the Congress of National Seniors Organizations (C.N.S.O.).
B. THAT the Executive Committee appoint ACER-CART’s representative to the CNSO.

The Chairpersons of the major committees each gave a report on their committee activities and achievements:

A. Pension and Retirement Income Committee -  Helen Biales, Chair

The Committee was given the task of studying and reporting on two concepts that impact on retirees:

a) The establishment of joint RRSPs for couples, being able to pool RRSP accounts into a joint account with rights of survivorship. The advantages would be: fewer accounts to manage; lower administrative costs; easier estate planning; a fiscal advantage of a later date to convert to an annuity or to de-register RRSPs; lower management costs; available as an option for those who wanted it.
b) A flat rate RRSP deregistration. The main selling points of RRSPs are the ability to claim deposits as a deduction on income tax, and the ability to withdraw this money at a reduced income tax rate in retirement. The presumption that tax rates would be lower is in question. It is suggested that to help the tax rate the RRSPs should be treated the same as capital gains - with only 50% of the income taxed. This may encourage people to deregister RRSPs and to invest in non-registered accounts. However, government may not wish to discourage people from saving for their retirement as many pension plans face unfunded liabilities.

B. Communications Committee -  Vaughn Wadelius, Chair

The website is gaining popularity and had more than 1400 visitors since its official startup in 2004.

This year the primary focus has been on updating standard features of the website and the website photo gallery, incorporating the new logo, and expanding document information. The task of making ACER-CART forms available in pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format on the website was completed. The forms available at the bottom of the AGM Report page are: a) AGM Report Form; b) Expense Claim Form; c)  Fee Invoice Form; d) Nominating Form.

The full text of the October 6, 2005 “Brief to the Standing Committee on Finance” and two press releases are also on the website.

a) A report on major correspondence
b) The survey of political leaders.
c) Brief to the Standing Committee on Finance.
d) Evaluation issues for the Old Age Security Pension.
e) Canadian Seniors Partnership (CSP) teleconference.
f) The Microsoft project.
g) Conference on care giving (October 2005).
h) C.N.S.O. meeting (November 2005).
i) National Roundtable on seniors.
j) Post-election letters to politicians.
k) Canadian Health Care Association national round table on health system effectiveness.
l) Policy on health care
m) Community crime prevention forum

Copies of the 2005-06 revenue and expenditures to date, and the 2006-07 proposed budget, were distributed. The item"Special Projects" was listed in three sections because of involvement with three different groups: the Congress of National Seniors Organization (C.N.S.O.), the Canadian Seniors' Partnership (C.S.P.) ,and the Canadian Caregivers Coalition (C.C.C.). An update will be prepared three
times a year, for the quarterly reports.

Pierre Drouin announced that he was prepared to stay on as Executive Director for another two years. This news was well received!

Directors provided written reports on the major concerns of their provincial organization. This resulted in considerable discussion during this useful opportunity to make comparisons and seek advice on issues of mutual interest.

Amended as follows:
From: A request of reimbursement by ACER-CART of expenses incurred by members on official ACER-CART business must be supported by a receipt.
To: With the exception of expenses related to meals and mileage, a request of reimbursement by ACER-CART of expenses incurred by members on official ACER-CART business must be supported by a receipt.

Amended as follows:
From: Expenses may be claimed by members of the Executive attending Executive, Board and AGMs.
To: Expenses may be claimed by Officers of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and ACER-CART members on official ACER-CART business. Expenses related to attendance at AGMs can be claimed only by Officers of the Executive Committee and ACER-CART members who have received the mandate to act as official representative of ACER-CART to another organization.

Amended as follows:
From: Meals, all inclusive, up to a maximum of sixty dollars ($60) per day
To: Meals, all inclusive, effective May 30, 2006 on the following scale:
    Breakfast: $13
    Lunch: $19
    Dinner: $28

President: Pat Brady
Regional Directors: Fred Ripley (Atlantic), Helen Biales (Centre) , Vaughn Wadelius (West)

Helen Biales will serve the one year term as Vice-President.

a) THAT ACER-CART include in the expense category support for the P.A.T.C. (Pan-African Teachers’ Center) Book Development Project in the 2005-2006 budget

b) THAT an amount equal to 1% of the annual ACER-CART budget be allocated to the P.A.T.C. Book Development Project through the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF)

c) THAT other retired teacher organizations be encouraged to supplement this allocation with regular donations from their organizations.

B. A motion was passed that Executive solicit input from Member organizations in respect to project that we may wish to identify with and support; and that the Executive bring policies at the next AGM.

D. A Notice of Motion to be discussed at the 2007 ACER-CART AGM was presented:
“THAT the fees for ACER-CART be increased from 20 cents to 25 cents per year per member.”

A. THAT the ACER-CART Executive investigate the possibility of incorporating the current Regulations into the Bylaws and report the results of their investigation to the Board of Directors.
B. THAT “Bylaw 9 – Executive Committee” be amended to include the ACER-CART immediate Past President.
C. A motion to amend the Bylaw9.5 – Duties of Officers of the Executive to set the duties of the immediate Past President to include Chairperson of the Nominations Committee and ACER-CART Representative to CNSO was referred to the Executive Committee for study and report to the Board of Directors.
D.The Executive Committee was charged with developing a policy on Support and Assistance for Active Teacher Organizations, to be presented to the Board of Directors.