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1. Attendance & Greetings
President Helen Biales
welcomed 27 directors and alternate directors to the 17th annual
general meeting of ACER-CART. The President welcomed the CTF Secretary
General Dr. Calvin Fraser and Mr. Art Kube, First
Vice-President of the National Pensioners and Senior Citizen's Federation.
They brought greetings from their organizations. President Biales expressed
her appreciation to Johnson Inc. and CTF for its continued support of
ACER-CART.
2. Reports
All reports had been made available to the Directors and Executive for
reading prior to the meeting via the ACER-CART`s Members Only website
access. In addition to viewing them on the website, it was requested
that the paper copies/kits be left at the hotel for the arrival of
participants.
2.1 President's Report
Helen Biales reported on the
action taken since the 2007 AGM. She referenced the lobbying efforts of
ACER-CART on issues such as funding for literacy programs, the federal
budget, and the National Seniors Council. She thanked the executive for
their support during the year, Jo Ann Lauber (BCRTA) for representing
ACER-CART at the Conference on Elder Abuse, and Pierre Drouin and Lynne
Richard for their important background work. Helen noted that Executive
Director Pierre Drouin is retiring at the end of December 2008 and a
replacement will be needed January 1, 2009.
2.2 Committee Chair Reports
The Chairpersons of the major committees each gave a
report on their committee activities and achievements:
A.
Communications Committee - Vaughn
Wadelius, Chair
Website
Website visits from 2006 to 2007 grew by 15.6%, continuing the steady gain
in popularity since the website’s official startup in 2004. During the last
year, updating of standard features of the website included the addition of
the 2007 AGM summary report, a website AGM photo slide show, bylaws
updating, and the addition of the Canada Income Tax pension splitting form.
ACER-CART forms were also updated and made readily available in pdf (Adobe
Acrobat) format at the bottom of the Index page. An unlinked AGM
page was developed for circulating the 2008 AGM documents to facilitate
access and save mailing costs.
All but one member organization have
linked their websites to that of ACER-CART. Directors assisted with the
correctness of the Members /Membres pages listing of organization
Presidents and Directors by providing updates to the Communications chair in
a timely fashion. Updates to the Meetings/Reunions pages listings
were harder to obtain so continued support by Directors is requested. The
"What’s New?/Quoi de neuf" pages change in content seems to be working
well with the establishment of direct links to the periodicals of the member
organizations where information about their activities, issues, etc. can be
seen. It is helpful that more organization periodicals are available as pdf
versions on their own websites. Updates were also made to the
Officers/Bureau de direction, Committees/Comites and
History/Histoire pages.
Newsletter
Two editions of the ACER-CART newsletter, OPTIONS, were
produced in 2007-08. The Summer 2007 edition released in early September was
again primarily devoted to AGM news that could be utilized by Directors and
editors of member organization publications. The Winter 2008 issue was not
released until the arrival of the second Quarterly Report and was again
designed for use as an ACER-CART update in member organization newsletters
or reports.
Member Organization Mailings
The chair again developed an updated
publications mailing list for use by those member organizations which
wished to send their publications to key persons in other member
organizations. The list was sent in the Fall of 2007, with an update also
sent in 2008.
Other
The health of the original ACER-CART webmaster
took a turn for the worst in 2008 and his death on April 4 was a shock.
Dr. Robert Cross was instrumental in the design and development of the
RTAM and ACER-CART websites. His duties were assumed by the Communications
chair in early 2007. Consideration of some software updates will be
undertaken in 2008-09 to ensure compatibility with changing operating
systems. Suggestions to enhance the website’s usefulness to member
organizations are gratefully accepted.
B. Health Services and Insurance Committee -
Thomas Gaskell, Chair
Thomas submitted a thorough
report on the availability and cost of prescription drugs. He noted the
positions of the Canadian Medical Association and drug companies on this
issue. He concluded that until the people have control of drug plans, little
will change. Various resolutions were adopted:
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THAT
ACER-CART reaffirm its current policy on Health Care in Canada.
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THAT ACER-CART attempt to engage others, specifically CTF, in pursuit of a
national formulary and national drug plan.
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THAT ACER-CART encourage each member organizations to lobby their MPs and
MLA’s to support a national formulary and national drug plan.
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THAT ACER-CART develop a position paper in support of the federal government
taking more responsibility for health care in Canada.
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THAT ACER-CART take the initiative to coordinate a common front in efforts
to have the federal government enforce the core principles of the Canada
Health Act.
- THAT ACER-CART urge the Member
organizations to initiate efforts to:
a) to have an ombudsman for seniors appointed, and
b) to have a trained (court room, corporate) of seniors advocates in each
province.
C. Pension and Retirement
Income Committee - Arnold Hull, Chair
Arnold noted that the committee’s
focus was on a study of the effect of escalating property taxes on seniors.
His extensive report focused on how property taxes are establishes, factors
influencing property tax increases, protection programs for property owners,
and available financial assistance. Another issue
of importance included pension protection. Recommendations that were adopted
at the AGM to deal with these issues included:
- THAT ACER-CART encourage negotiations between the
pension partners that guarantee annual inflation protection for all
retirees.
THAT ACER-CART policy be that COLA
protection should be guaranteed and funded as part of the pension plan.
This means that the contribution rates should be adequate to fund the
pension and future indexing.
THAT members of ACER-CART encourage
seniors to check their property assessments to ensure their assessments
fairly and accurately reflect their properties key factors, site features
and current amenities.
THAT members of ACER-CART advocate that
seniors be aware of the right to appeal a property assessment, the
mechanics of the appeal process and the deadlines for such an appeal.
THAT members of ACER-CART encourage their
members to use all opportunities to let their voices be heard by attending
municipal/city information sessions on property taxes and budgets.
THAT members of ACER-CART provide
information to seniors about provincial property owner protection program
or taxpayer financial assistance.
THAT members of ACER-CART lobby provincial
and federal politicians to increase financial assistance to
municipalities.
THAT ACER-CART partnership with members to
make federal and provincial governments aware of the social, economic and
environmental issues faced by seniors and low-income earners.
THAT ACER-CART investigates how they can
support the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in their effort to have
the federal government establish sustainable funding infrastructure
projects and upgrades.
2.3. Congress of National Seniors’ Organization (C.N.S.O.)
Helen Biales, the ACER-CART official representative to
the Congress of National Seniors Organization (CNSO) presented a written report
for 2007-08. She noted the various issues addressed by CNSO. She noted that
October 1 was the International Day of Older Persons. Other issues included:
emergency preparedness, population health fund, the National Seniors'
Council, policy support for the CPP, OAS and GIS, expansion of the New
Horizons for Seniors Program, , the National Advisory Council on Aging,
universal pharmacare, and concerns about elder abuse. ACER-CART agreed to
continue its membership in CNSO for 2008-09. One resolution adopted:
"THAT ACER-CART through its membership in the Congress of National Seniors
Organizations, mount an awareness campaign to empower seniors to take action
against elder abuse, with elder law training programs and to teach seniors
how to recognize elder abuse".
3. Executive Director’s Report
Pierre Drouin
distributed a comprehensive annual report summarizing his
activities during the previous year. Among the items were:
a) An update on the status of motions passed at the 2007 AGM.
b) Financial statements. A new format was being tried..
c) Preparation of a policy on the status and use of the Reserve Fund.
d) Presentation of the brief to the Standing Committee on Finance.
e) Development of a new format for financial statements.
f) Implementation of the changes to the organizational structure.
g) Presentation of comments to the Senate Committee on Aging.
h) Development of a draft proposal for a New Horizons grant.
Pierre explained that he was ending his mandate as Executive Director on
December 31, 2008. He thanked his assistants at CTF and the ACER-CART
Executive Officers and Directors for their assistance during his years of
service.
4. 2007-2008 Budget and 2008-2009 Budget Estimates
Copies of the 2007-08 revenue and expenditures to date were received. The 2008-09
proposed budget was distributed and reviewed. The recommendations on the
Reserve Fund were adopted:
- The purpose of the Reserve Fund is to meet significant expenditures
which were not foreseen at the time the annual budget was approved.
- Expenditures from the Reserve Fund may be authorized by either a 2/3
majority of the Officers of the Executive Committee or by a majority of
the Directors present at the Annual General Meeting.
- Investment of Reserve Fund monies shall be the responsibility of the
Executive Committee and made under guidelines approved by the Annual
General Meeting.
- An annual financial statement reflecting the Reserve Fund activities
shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting.
5. Member Reports
Directors provided, for discussion, written reports on the major
concerns of their provincial organization. They highlighted their reports
and responded to questions during the discussions.
6.
Motions From Member Organizations and the Executive
6.1 The following member organization resolutions were adopted
at the 2008 AGM:
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BCRTA:
THAT ACER-CART continue to pursue the issue related to the error in
calculation of CPI
by Stats Canada and request that pensioners be reimbursed
accordingly.
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BCRTA: THAT ACER-CART
pursue the elimination of the OAS claw back and Age Credit
reduction.
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BCRTA: THAT ACER-CART
lobby the Federal Government to establish a national pharmacare
program with a national formulary.
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RTO/ERO: THAT ACER-CART lobby the Federal
Government to establish a national childcare
program that is affordable, accountable and accessible
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RTO/ERO: THAT ACER-CART take the lead in
future Pre-Budget Consultations in accordance with
established ACER-CART policies.
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QPARSE: THAT ACER-CART consider
adding privatization of health care to its 2008-2009 priorities.
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STS:
THAT
ACER-CART urge the Federal government to review and amend the Privacy Act in
order to ensure the privacy of personal information is
respected.
A resolution from RTANL to seek removal of the
penalty on CPP was deferred to the 2009 AGM.
6.2 Executive resolutions proposed
and adopted included:
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to confirm editorial changes to the Constitution
and Bylaws; update the meal per diem and mileage allowance
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to form a search committee for an Executive
Director (made up of the President, the Vice-President and the present
Executive Director),
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to empower the Executive Committee to employ an
Executive Director with duties commencing on January 1, 2009;
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to authorize the President or designate to
attend the International Conference on Aging to be held in Montreal in
September 2008.
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to lobby the Federal Government to develop
national strategies to inform seniors of their rights, available services
and to reach out to victims and potential victims of elder abuse.
7. Presentations
Lori McDonald and Shannon Patershuk
from Johnson Inc. made a presentation and provided copies
to the
participants. They gave information on
the variations of cancer care throughout the country,
accessibility to drug treatment, and accessibility to 24 newer
cancer drugs and their public funding
status across Canada. A "Best Doctors" plan was explained - an
insurance plan that provides
participants with quick diagnosis by medical experts when a second
opinion is desired.
8. Elections
The following 2008-09 executive officers were elected:
President: Helen Biales
Regional Representatives: Thomas Gaskell (Atlantic)
Patricia Steele (Québec)
Arnold Hull
(Ontario)
Vaughn
Wadelius (West)
Vaughn Wadelius was also elected to serve the term as
Vice-President.
9. Priorities
The following were set as priorities for ACER-CART in 2008-2009:
[NOTE: Due to a technical problem at the meeting, this section
currently is under review.]
10. Budget (2008-2009)
The budget requirements for 2008-09 were presented, reviewed and adopted.
11. Adjournment
Some delegates noted that they would not be returning next year and said
their farewells.
The meeting ended on June 7, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. The next AGM is scheduled
for June 5 - 6, 2009.
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Previous Annual
General Meeting Reports of ACER-CART. |
-
Report of the 12th Annual
General Meeting of ACER-CART
-
Report of the 13th Annual
General Meeting of ACER-CART
-
Report of the 14th Annual
General Meeting of ACER-CART
-
Report of the 15th Annual
General Meeting of ACER-CART
-
Report of the 16th Annual
General Meeting of ACER-CART
- Report of
the 17th Annual General Meeting of ACER-CART
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