Political Advocacy Briefing Notes – October 18, 2024

Executive Committee Report:

Approval of the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan’s request to use New Mode (advocacy software) for their upcoming election. Effectiveness will be evaluated after the election.
Request from McMaster University to work with ACER-CART. The university has applied for a grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada re: Dementia Community Investment Funding. Agreement that this should happen.
The Executive Officers reviewed the SWOT analysis – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats – and will use that information as a foundation for a revised Strategic Plan.

Legislation Committee

Resolutions passed at the June 2024 Annual General Meeting are being implemented.
Committees are asked to share with the Legislative committee any mandate changes.

Communications Committee

Pharmacare information previously on the Home Page is available in the Advocacy Section.
Website analytics will be revisited.
Meeting briefing notes, not minutes, are posted on the ACER-CART website. A disclaimer statement to this effect is posted.
Information sheets on Scams and the Lifestyle category are being considered.
New Mode will be updated on December 15, 2024.

Pension and Retirement Income Committee

Two resolutions submitted by STS discussed.
- Be it resolved that STS Executive work with ACER-CART to advocate for the government to initiate a tax credit for seniors for their participation in activities to improve physical and mental health. Available for children so why not seniors? Not a priority for this year, but this will go to the Member Associations for their consideration.
- Be it resolved that STS Executive work with ACER-CART to advocate for the government to include massage therapy as a tax-deductible health benefit for taxpayers. Already covered in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. Maybe use New Mode in provinces without this coverage?
- ACER-CART priorities – important to have seniors achieve financial stability so they can age in place. Few provinces have full indexing of pensions Each year purchasing power is being reduced. The plan is to present data to Provincial Associations in a new way to have them thinking about it.
Focus for the year: a full cost-of-living increase for everyone; continue monitoring the rollout of the dental plan; proposal of a tax credit for appropriate seniors’ activities; support Saskatchewan for their massage therapy as a tax-deductible benefit, and focus on economic stability for retired seniors so they can age at home and in their community.

Political Advocacy Committee

Report presented at the AGM was forwarded to everyone to see if there were any items that needed to be addressed.
Items covered: National Pharmacare, Ageing in Place, Dental Care, and Affiliations.
Future meeting dates: November 5 & December 13.

Health Services Committee

Canadian Dental Care Plan – update

Responses to ACER-CART letter received from the Prime Minister’s Office and opposition Pierre Poilievre’s office.
Attempt to meet with the Minister of Health did not happen, nor did the Minister attend the ACER-CART AGM
Discrimination concern: Some seniors cannot afford to pay premiums for a dental plan, but under the existing rules, do not qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Health Canada responded that the eligibility of the CDCP will be reviewed annually, and also appreciated the letter of concern for retired teachers. Bill expressed his opinion that we need to continue to pressure the government in some way.
Another ACER-CART letter will be written to the government and the opposition, referencing the response from Health Canada that the eligibility to access the CDCP would be reassessed annually.

Open Letter to RTOERO Members

Review of RTOERO leaving ACER-CART and that impact on the remaining Members.
RTOERO is actively recruiting in other provinces with their insurance plan as they claim the identity as Canada’s Education Retirees.
Discussion of the content and purpose of the ACER-CART letter that will go to all RTOERO District Presidents at the time of their annual fall forum.