President’s Message – December 2024

December 2024

Dear ACER,.CART Colleagues and Friends:

It is once again with immense privilege and great pleasure to greet you at this time on behalf of the Association canadienne des enseignantes et des enseighants retraites – Canadian Association of Retired Teachers. Christmas is a time for all of us to reflect on our most precious gifts-family, Jove, hope and secutity. As we gather with family and friends over the holidays let us rejoice in the pleasure that brings us together and the privileges and freeqoms we enjoy in our land of such great splendour and beauty.

Christmas is poised at the end of one year and the l)eginning of the next; and thus, it is an opportunity to look back with admiration and gratitude to the excellent efforts you have provided over the past year on behalf of your members and your efforts in ensuring all Canadian seniors may live in dignity and security.

ACER-CART not only survived, but I believe thrived over the past year. I aQknowledge there was much concern and dismay from our member organizations when Retired Teachers Ontario withdrew from the organization on November 1, 2023. Your Executive continues to provide advocacy, guidance and up-to­ date information for our 88,234 members through Directors’ meetings, an updated website and President’s letters.

The New Year will bring its own possibilities and challenges. Improving the retirement income for retired teachers and seniors will be one of our main priorities as we continue to be a vibrant and effective voice for members at a national level in Canada.

Your Political Strategy Committee has developed a booklet entitled “Seniors Issues for the 2025 Election” that will be made available electronically, in some cases in print and on the website. The information and questions provided on fo1,1r tropics will provide guidance when speaking to candidates at your doorstep, at townhalls/forums or electr6nically.

ACER-CART continues to advocate for a National Seniors Strategy and for the ability of all seniors to age, as much as they are able, in the comfort and security of their own homes. Sometimes-this is referred to as “Aging in Place”. Doing so promotes better physical, mental and social health-plus longer life. We request your help by participating in the election campaign for greater overnment support for seniors’ home care.

ACER-CART was very pleased when Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare received Royal Assent on October 10, 2024, and is now in force. We are advocating for an expanded list of essential medications and related products under a national formulary and the development of a bulk purchasing strategy.

As we go forward to the New Year with the hope of better times, on behalf of the ACER-CART Executive, I wish you a beautiful Christmas season of peace, of joy, of laughter and good will. It is in the spirit of reverence and gladness that I sincerely hope the New Year brings happiness and good health to all.

Bill Berryman President ACER-CART