NLPSPA and NL Seniors Coalition: Advocating for Pensioners' Rights

MORE VISION, STRONGER VOICE, GREATER UNITY Newfoundland & Labrador Public Sector Pensioners Association (NLPSPA) and NL Coalition of Seniors, Pensioners, & Retirees Associations (NL Seniors Coalition) Presentation to MUNPA March 18, 2025

NLPSPA is the the only organization in the province that represents the interests of all public sector retirees who are in receipt of or will receive a public service pension. The Association was founded in 1989 and has worked tirelessly since then for the well- being of our 9,500+ members and all pensioners in general. NLPSPA believes very strongly that pensioners should receive dignity, respect and financial security in their retirement years and voice in the future of their pension plan. What is NLPSPA?

Our Vision: Our Vision: Pensioners have a better quality of life through improved pensions and insured benefits. Vision & Mission of NLPSPA Our Mission: Our Mission: The Newfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners Association (NLPSPA) is a strong, member supported organization that advocates for improved pensions, insured benefits, and a better quality of life for all members and pensioners and is recognized for its leadership role in promoting the interests of its members and all pensioners.

Membership based association; Two types of membership: Voting members: in receipt of a pension from public sector pension plans and GMPP and Founding Members. Non-Voting members: Affiliate members, Associate Members and Honourary Members. 12 member Governance Board of Directors Two staff persons: Executive Director and Administrative Assistant. Office located at 446 Newfoundland Drive, Suite 206. Some Facts About NLPSPA

The Coalition is a collaborative collective of seniors , pensioners , and retirees associations and groups which have agreed to provide a unified voice in advocating for all actions that would have a positive impact on the quality of life of its members and their families. From 1997-2002, the NLPSPA, NAPE and CUPE established a coalition relationship that unfortunately was unsuccessful due to a wide difference in opinion about joint trusteeship of the pension plan. In March of 2008, the Coalition reformed to collectively exert influence to reduce the injustices to public service pensioners over the years with eight (8) original participating groups. What is the NL Seniors Coalition?

NLPSPA continued to be the driving force for the Coalition, given its access to infrastructure. From 2009-2010, the Coalition developed a repositioned approach on pension issues to one of a Public Awareness Campaign. This approach continued to 2011, with the Coalition eventually being named the Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition of Pensioners, Retirees and Seniors. This was a great period of assault on governmens pension plans from the business community, corporate community and the general public who blamed the government deficit on pensioners. and the Coalition struggled to gain ground on its advocacy actions to government. More About the Coalition History

There was, however, little support initially for the issues being addressed, as the Coalition was publicly perceived to be representing only those pensioner organizations that had a former union related employment history. The affiliated associations recognized that the concerns of retirement security, health outcomes, and social engagement were common to all groups and that by consolidating these issues into a single voice, the capacity to advocate on matters that challenged the quality of life of all aging persons could be better impacted through unity and collaboration. All participating associations still preserve their original purpose and activities. More About the Coalition (continued)

Over the years, groups have affiliated or dis Over the years, groups have affiliated or dis- -affiliated with the Coalition. affiliated with the Coalition. Currently, 14 groups are participating: Currently, 14 groups are participating: Newfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners Association; Newfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners Association; St. John s Fire Fighters Retirees Association; St. John s Fire Fighters Retirees Association; NAPE Retirees Local 7002; NAPE Retirees Local 7002; Retired Teachers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador; Retired Teachers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador; Retired Correctional Officers (Represented by NAPE); Retired Correctional Officers (Represented by NAPE); Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Veterans Association; Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Veterans Association; Memorial University of Newfoundland Pensioners Association; Memorial University of Newfoundland Pensioners Association; NAFR (National Association of Federal Retirees); NAFR (National Association of Federal Retirees); CARP NL (Canadian Association of Retired Persons; CARP NL (Canadian Association of Retired Persons; Marine Atlantic Pensioners Association; Marine Atlantic Pensioners Association; Silver Lights Retirees Silver Lights Retirees (NL Power); (NL Power); CBC Pensioners; CBC Pensioners; Bell Pensioners Group Bell Pensioners Group 50+ federation 50+ federation More About the Coalition (continued)

Open to all associations and groups representing the interests of seniors, pensioners, and retirees in Newfoundland and Labrador. When appropriate, any participating association or group shall state a conflict of interest with any issue under discussion or being advanced. Each participating association/group has the option to participate fully, partly, or as an observer to any issue that might be advanced by the Coalition. In the interest of equity when decisions are taken, each participating association/group shall have one recorded voice/vote. Membership in the Coalition

NLPSPA provides infrastructure support services to the Coalition, through coverage of costs and other expenses, research services, preparation of position papers, meeting set-up, preparation and distribution of a variety of documents and other administrative services, as may bedeemed necessary from time to time; To best expedite infrastructure support, NLPSPA assumes the position of Chair of the Coalition. The Coalition appoints a Vice-Chair and Secretary from amongst its active participating member associations who, together with the Chair, constitutes the Executive Committee of the Coalition. Appointment to the Executive Committee of the Coalition shall be reviewed on a biennial basis. Relationship of NLPSPA to Coalition

Vision & Mission of Coalition Vision Vision Seniors, pensioners, and retirees shall have a powerful and credible voice of influence and change on matters that affect retirement, social security income, health and wellness, and positive social benefits. Mission Mission To advocate on matters that challenge the well-being and quality of life of seniors, pensioners, and retirees in Newfoundland and Labrador, in particular, and to actively participate in, support, and advocate for new and improved actions that will enhance the quality of life for seniors, pensioners and retirees across Canada.

Over the years, the Coalition has held meetings with government decision makers on the following: Advocacy Actions: Advocacy Actions: Advocacy Actions continued: Advocacy Actions continued: Health care Availability of medicines and vaccines; Dispensing fees Wait times Medical travel Home care, long term care, personal hom care Dental care Pharmacare Escalating costs of living High cost of homa maintenance and home repair Cost of utilities Seniors homelessness Federal social security benefits (OAS, CPP, GIS)

In-person meetings were held with the Federal Minister for Seniors, Seamus O Regan, and MP Joanne Thompson, who at the time was chair of the National Seniors Caucus of the Government. Provincially, in-person meetings also took place with the Minister for Children, Seniors, and Social Development, Paul Pike, and the Minister of Health and Community Services, Tom Osborne, before his retirement. In addition, other advocacy actions, especially relating to the Canada Dental Care Plan and the National Pharmacare Plan, also took place. 2024-2025 Advocacy

February 5, 2024, with CSSD to add additional clarifications concerning seniors poverty and to press for the release of the Poverty Reduction Plan. March 12, 2024, an NDP sponsored Town Hall on the new Canda Dental Care Plan and questioned NDP Health Critic on the exclusion of those in a private or employer sponsored dental care plan from coverage by the CDCP. March 13, 2024, with Minister Seamus O Regan. Topics addressed included a National Seniors Strategy, the Canada Dental Plan, National Universal Pharmacare Bill C64, Safe Long Term Care Act and the National Long Term Care Standards, and Ageism/Older Workers Strategy. 2024-2025 Advocacy (Some Highlights)

June 11, 2024, in-person meeting was held with Minister Paul Pike of CSSD and officials of the Department with the release of the Seniors Poverty Reduction Plan On June 15, an NDP sponsored Town Hall on the new National Pharmacare Act Bill C-64 and questioned MP Peter Juliean on what accountabilities would be built into the agreement with the province to ensure the plan was universal and not income-tested. June 26, 2024, in-person meeting was held with Minister Tom Osborne, Health and Community Services on the new Pharmacare Act and how the province might roll it out, the high dose flu vaccine available to all seniors 65+ years of age, when the review of the personal and long-term care homes would be released, and ageism in health care services. 2024-2025 Advocacy (Some Highlights)

On July 31, 2024, the Coalition associations met with NDP MP Heather McPherson and discussed her Private Member s Bill, C-387, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan. Meeting held with Seniors Advocate on December 9, multiple issues in discussion, including the GST/HST holiday, $250 Canadian Workers Rebate, income levels for eligibility for services, Seniors Social Well- Being Plan, Aging at Home, LTC/PCH Review, and pneumonia vaccine availability. Coalition met with Minister Joanne Thompson on January 30. January 31, NDP Town Hall on Seniors and the Cost of Living. 2024-2025 Advocacy (Some Highlights)

Information Sharing Town Hall Meeting on the services and programs offered by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador that are useful and available for older persons as they age. March 21 @ Capital Hotel, 1:30 PM. Registration is required; no charge. April 8, Encore Summit, being held at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Signal Hill with the purpose of empowering an older workforce and to develop a strategy that compliments the needs of the business community and allows for the older person resource to respond to this need. Associations of the Coalition are asked to participate and share the information. Limited seating, cost $106. Coalition Upcoming Events

An additional purpose of the Coalition is to build upon a network of information exchange. This objective has grown exponentially since COVID, with many participating groups undertaking to fight loneliness and isolation by offering online events for their memberships. These are being cross-shared and members from all agencies are enjoying many offerings in their home environments. Music evenings, CRA Credits and Benefits, Tips for healthy aging, etc. Additional

Questions? Questions? Thank you for your time today. I trust you found this presentation helpful and informative.

Sharron Callahan,Executive Director Newfoundland & LabradorPublic Sector Pensioners' Association (NLPSPA) 446 Newfoundland Drive, Suite 206 St. John's NL A1A 4G6 (Phone) 709-690-1238 (Email) scallahan@npspa.ca (Web):https://nlpspa.ca Coalition: https://nlpspa.ca/membership-organizations Membership: https://nlpspa.ca/wp- content/uploads/2023/05/NLPSPA-Membership- Application.pdf Contact: https://nlpspa.ca/contact (FB): https://facebook.com/NLpensioners Contact: