HOME

CBC PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION,
MARITIMES

Volume 3, Issue 8

Fall 2005

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The fall meeting of the national executive of the CBC Pensioners Association took place in Montreal on October 28, 29, and 30th. The pension surplus was our chief topic and we examined the situation in detail. We had a very careful review of the procedure with our lawyer to determine where things stand right now and what we can expect in our legal case for a share of the surplus.
The case will be heard in Ontario and our lawyer explained that there two ways to proceed in that province: one is under “Rule 10" and the other is through a “Class Action.” We hope to have the case heard under “Rule 10" as it is more straight forward.

COURT CASE BEGINS IN FEBRUARY
A Judge has been appointed and will hold a hearing on February 2, and 3, 2006, to decide if we can represent all pensioners or just our own members in this case, and which way the case will proceed. You can tell from this that we are involved in a long protracted lawsuit.
With regard to the pension plan itself, I stressed that the most important improvement needed is better survivor benefits for spouses.

HEALTH PREMIUMS DECREASING
One of the most positive results from the meeting was the news that as of January 1, 2006, the premiums for our supplementary health care plan will decrease by 8%. This is because a reserve fund held by Atlantic Blue Cross has been handed over to Great West Life and will be applied against next year’s premiums. Nevertheless, this marks the first time that the premiums have ever gone down.
The Maritime Region continues to enjoy the highest percentage membership participation of all Regions in the country. We have roughly 80% of eligible pensioners as members compared to about 62% nationally. This is not bad, but it could be better. If you know of any retirees or surviving spouses who have not joined the Association, I would encourage you to approach them about signing up. Our strength is in our numbers and this is something that the CBC can understand.

KEEPING IN TOUCH
In August I had the opportunity of meeting with our Prince Edward Island members in Charlottetown. They have just enough members to form a chapter and are most enthusiastic. (See details later in this letter.)
A meeting will take place in Sackville, N.B., on Nov. 16. And a meeting will be held in Moncton, N.B., after the new executive there have had time to get their feet on the ground.
In closing I want to wish, on behalf of the board, that you enjoy a healthy, happy and Holy season and encourage your support and participation in 2006.

IN MEMORY OF NIL d”ENTREMONT

Our President, Nil Robert d’Entremont, 71, died at the Moncton Hospital on July 21, 2005 following a brief battle with cancer. Born in Lower West Pubnico, N.S., he was the son of Robert and Marie-Julie d’Entremont. Nil took great pride in his 34 year career with CBC/Radio-Canada: from 1956 to 1959 in Halifax, and then at the Moncton facility until his retirement from TV technical staff in 1990.
He was the founding President of our Moncton Chapter in 2000, a position he held until his death. He will be remembered for his efforts to promote get-togethers, for his warm humour, and dedication to improvements in health coverage and other benefits for pensioners.
He had been President for two terms and a board member (17 years) of Le Phare des Services communautaires (Moncton), an agency serving handicapped people. He was a former president of the Canadian Association for Community Integration, Moncton Chapter. He was also a past member -- presiding on numerous committees -- of the Moncton Lions Club; of various golf clubs, of the Beauséjour Curling Club and of the Moncton Press Club.
Nil is survived by Loretta (LeBlanc) d’Entremont, his wife of 48 years; two daughters, Katherine (Charles Bourque) of Fredericton, and Charlene of Bouctouche; two grandchildren, Zachary and Vanessa Bourque of Fredericton, as well as his sisters, Irène d’Entremont (late Siméon) and Rita d’Entremont (late Émile); his brothers, Sylvester (late Marie-Céleste), George (Jean) and Paul (Léa), all of Pubnico; and several nieces and nephews. Nil was buried in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Dieppe, N.B., following the funeral mass at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Moncton on July 25th,, attended by many of his family, former colleagues, retirees and friends. He will be missed by all.

IN MEMORIAM

Peter Frederick Timberlake, 80, of Porters Lake, NS, passed away on Friday, October 14, 2005. Born in Hastings, England, he was the son of the late George (Fred) and Annie Timberlake, and was predeceased by his wife, Rose, in 1991, and by his sisters, Winnie and Jean (Hastings, England).
Peter was a WWII Veteran with the British Royal Navy and worked for the BBC prior to immigrating to Canada. Peter held several positions with the Canadian Marconi Company, the Canadian Broadcasting Company, Engineering Headquarters, and Radio Canada International. He retired in 1989 as the Plant Manager of the RCI transmitting station, Sackville, NB. He is survived by his sons, Tony, Alan, Gary, and daughter, Mary, and seven grandchildren.

Surf and suds in Moncton

By Maurice Olsen

For starters, our Moncton group warmed to the evening with greetings and a small glass of cheer from the bar. It was our Social committee duo, Yvonne Cormier and Claudette Drisdelle (abetted by Louis Elsliger, Francis Porelle, and Roméo Boudreau) who had launched this first-ever lobster supper. They greeted 55 Association pensioners, spouses and guests on June 23rd last. Many thanks to them.

Léo-Paul Richard, Roméo Boudreau, Louis Elsliger, Léo Leblanc, Yvonne Cormier, Bertha Léger	Rhéal Bernard and wife,Francis Porelle, Robert Surette

The event was held at the Beauséjour Curling Club from 6 to 11 p.m. Léo Cormier did the honours as Master of Ceremonies. Jokes and good fun were delivered in liberal dollops. Léo called up the happy winners of ten lobsters that were awarded by draw. A fine evening, that many hoped might become a yearly event. Oh yes, let’s not forget photos taken by Claudette Drisdelle.

Frank Drisdelle, Bernard Cormier, Annette Leblanc, Bertha Léger and friend, Marcelle Kervin, Dollard Leblanc, Yvonne Cormier, Claudette Drisdelle

---

HALIFAX CHRISTMAS PARTY!

Members and their spouses or guests from around the Maritimes are invited to the Association's 6th Christmas party, on Dec. 7 at the Canadian Legion at Hillcrest Street & Main Ave. in Fairview
There will be a reception from 11:00 to 12:00 followed by a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. You'll receive a name tag along with a complimentary bar ticket for you and your companion, and of course the dinner is free for members and their partners. And lots of Prizes will be given out.
We need to know who’s coming by Nov. 30 so the Caterer can prepare. If you plan to attend phone or Email Louise Fredericks at 902-454–4359 or l.gfred@ns.sympatico.ca  We look forward to seeing you on Dec. 7th.

Find them. Dig them out. Bring them together. Those were the three steps taken to inform Island Retirees of what the CBC Pensioners Association is doing on their behalf. To do this, we gathered phone numbers,and street or email addresses to arrange a meeting.
The Regional president, Jack Ingram, would attend to brief members and spouses. We arranged a noon meeting for Saturday, Aug.13, at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown, where CBC retiree, John Stewart, is manager. Jack arrived in good time and so did 18 retirees plus a few spouses. The shorts he was wearing were not quite the right garb for the cool breeze on the ferry to PEI. However, he got a warm welcome from members and gave a well-rounded talk about the work of the Association and possibilities for the future regarding a share in the pension surplus and a hoped-for improvement of benefits to spouses.
He also outlined the changes to the health plan under Great West Life. Sandwiches and coffee and a look around the stately old Haviland Club ended the meeting.
Eight of those present were one-time Halifax CBCers. The others were from Charlottetown and points West. The aims of the Association were given a thorough airing. We now have 25 members in P.E.I., the bare minimum for a local chapter. Whether the group has enough common background to come together remains to be seen.

Moncton Chapter, Fall Meeting

By Maurice Olsen

There was a high turnout of 29 pensioners for our fall meeting at the brand new Press Club.
Louis Elsliger, our new Chapter President, was at the helm, with encouragement from all. Among highlights, with $3463 in the bank, our Treasurer, Francis Porelle, has kept our account in good shape, despite the member-shared expense of our Lobster supper (see article).
Claudette Drisdelle presented a handsome photo album of the evening.
A nominations committee (Rita Arsenault, Gilles Bois, Simone McCarthy-Leblanc) was named for upcoming Executive elections next spring.
Colombe Thibodeau won a CD draw, offered by Benoît Duguay, who is with the Jeunesses Musicales Committee. Before ending, Francis Porelle invited all to observe a minute of silence in memory of our departed President, Nil d’Entremont.

Some Other Changes

Bill MacKenzie is our new representative on the Halifax Employee Assistance Program Committee. He replaces Judi Milne, who was our representative for a number of years. Bob Marks has volunteered to help Bill with the committee work. All pensioners are entitled to EAP assistance, so if you need help of any kind, you can contact Bill or Bob. If you wish to proceed on your own, there is a list of contacts on our "Notices" Web page.

David Carr is updating our by-laws to bring them into conformity with the national by-laws. John McKay has done a lot of work on our by-laws over the years and has turned over his file to David and is available to assist if needed.

STATION BREAK
Published: Spring and Fall
Editor: Ivan Munn
Translation: Maurice Olsen.

 

END OF THE FALL 2005 ISSUE