CBC PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION,
MARITIMES

Volume 3, Issue 10

Fall 2006

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Winter is now staring us in the face so the next major event for our Association will be the December dinner and get together.
As everyone knows, Jack Ingram announced in April that he was stepping down and as Vice President I took over. In September, elections were held and I agreed to serve as chair and Claire Brownell was elected to fill the vacancy on the Board.
On a personal note, the past few months have been a blur. Our family has been expanding and my wife, Tinker and I have been doing more travelling than we are used to. Grand parenting is a tiring experience. I wasn't able to attend the September meeting as it coincided with our travel schedule and the arrival of our latest grandchild.
In October the national meetings were held in Ottawa and I was there to represent this Region. The meetings produced a number of interesting results.
Our new national president, Pierre Racicot, was in the chair and is following a different approach. Pierre is communicating regularly with the board of directors on all facets of the Association. You've all received the national notes on the meeting so I'll not bore you with a repeat. But one of the interesting things that was discussed was "pension income splitting."
We joined the Common Front for Pension Splitting, a group of 12 major organizations that lobbied the government. It would seem that our efforts paid off as the government has announced that couples over 65 will be able to split their pension incomes.
The Association is also looking at a number of ways to improve its affinity programs. As you know, Moore's recently cancelled its program. There have been a number of suggestions for a replacement and they are being persued by the National Office. Hopefully sometime in the new year we'll have something to offer in place of the Moore's program. Several major staff changes will be taking place. Pierre Racicot is stepping down as our representative on the Pension Board. He will be replaced by John O'Mara of Newfoundland, a vice president of the Association. And the CEO of our pension plan, Steve Cotsman, is retiring next August.
For those members covered by the CBC health plan the news is not great. Premiums will be increasing by 10% in January. However we, in conjunction with CBC benefits, have begun to examine how to amalgamate Atlantic Region coverage with the Great West Life group. This will probably take a number of months. It's a very complex exercise because of the different units in the Atlantic Provinces. Each of the four provinces has a separate plan and Moncton has one of its own. Each plan has a different set-up.
Then there are membership differences. The plans include both members and non-members of the Association. In Nova Scotia, for instance, there are 134 members and 40 non members in the GWL/ABC plan. Any changes have to include and be approved by everyone. So you can see that it will be a challenge to get everyone to agree.
On a positive note, Jack Ingram has agreed to chair our committee which means we have a very knowledgeable individual at the helm. Jack and his committee will be starting their work immediately.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone seasons greetings and the very best in 2007. Hope to see all of you at the December 6th lunch.

CHRISTMAS PARTY - HALIFAX

Members and their partners from all parts of the Maritimes are invited to the Association's 7th annual Christmas Party on December 6th at the Canadian Legion at Hillcrest Street & Main Ave. in Fairview.

There will be a reception at 11:30 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. Lots of prizes will be given out.

We need to know who's coming by Dec. 1 so the caterer can prepare. If you plan to attend, please phone or Email Louise Fredericks at 902-454-4359 or l.gfred@ns.sympatico.ca. We look forward to seeing you on Dec.6th.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

We do our best to let you know what's happening through this newsletter, but it only goes out twice a year. Those of you on my email list receive reports whenever anything of general interest takes place. I have about 240 names on my mailing list at the moment, and I know there are many more of you out there with email addresses.

If you're not receiving regular updates, it's because I don't have your email address. Take a moment to send it in, and I'll add you to the list. Just drop a note to me, Ivan Munn, - iwmunn@gmail.com - and keep up with the news.

For members of the Moncton chapter, the same is true. Send your email address to Ronald Cormier - rcormier8563@rogers.com

We were later than usual filling vacancies on the Board of Directors this year. We normally hold elections in the spring, usually in May. But we didn't get around to it until our September meeting this year.
Bert Skinner was assigned the task of finding replacements for the five directors whose terms were ending. They were Pat Short, Sally Burns, Yvon Aucoin, Don Tremaine, and Bert himself. All five agreed to serve again. Their names were presented to the meeting and all were returned by acclamation.
That left one vacancy due to the resignation of Jack Ingram. Bert called for nominations from the floor and Fred Martin nominated Claire Brownell, and Milt Isner nominated David Carr. Claire won on a show of hands.
We then went on to choose our officers. John McKay, our vice president, had been acting president since April and was confirmed as president. Don Tremaine was named vice-president. Tom Pottie continues as treasurer, and Ivan Munn as secretary.
Other members of the board are Bill MacKenzie, our EAP rep, and Jack Ingram, past president, along with the presidents of the Moncton and Charlottetown chapters, Maurice Olsen and Jack Stewart.

IN MEMORIAM

Gilles Bradet,(1932-2006) aged 74, died on September 11, 2006, at Moncton, N.B. Born at Roberval, PQ, he was the son of the late Joseph and Yvonne (Martel) Bradet. A CBC Pensioner, he was an active member of Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix R.C. parish in Moncton. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne d'Arc, (nee Bouchard); his daughter Micheline (Donald) Boucher of St. Philippe; two sons, Yves (Susan Biddiscombe) of Drummondville, PQ; and Mario of Halifax, N.S. He is also survived by one sister, four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three sisters.

Wilfred (Whit) Brenton Carter, 72, died suddenly in hospital in Charlottetown on November 1, 2006. Whit was born in Brookfield, N.S.,and spent more than 40 years in broadcasting, mostly as an announcer with the CBC in Charlottetown. He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Cutcliffe) Carter, son Robert (Sue) of Stoney Plain, Alberta, and daughter Carolyn (Frank) Dorrington, Fall River, N.S. Whit's life centered around his grandchildren, Kailah and Brian Dorrington, and Amy and Sara Carter. A memorial service was held Nov.8 at Park Royal United Church in Charlottetown. The interment of his cremated remains will take place later in the family plot in Tryon People's Cemetery.

Yvon Michaud, (1949-2006) 56, died in his sleep at home July 13, 2006 in Dieppe, N.B. Born in Edmundston, N.B., the son of Armand and Ida (Couturier) Michaud, Yvon was one of the best known journalists in Acadian Society. He worked 22 years for SRC Moncton and for many years anchored all major French television regional news shows and specials. He mentored many buddings journalists. He left to join Acadian community radio CJSE as on-air host and program director. He volunteered with many charities, and was for a time secretary of the Moncton chapter of our Association. He is survived by his wife, Pierrette (Rioux); a daughter Caroline, and a son Pierre (Janka), as well as five sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

MONCTON ACTIVITIES

By Maurice Olsen

The Moncton Chapter elected new officers in May: Maurice Olsen was elected president, Louis Elsliger is vice-president, Francis Porelle, treasurer, Ronald Cormier, secretary, and directors Yvonne Cormier and Claudette Drisdelle. Yvonne and Claudette organized our second annual Lobster Supper held on June 22nd. Leo Cormier provided the humour, and door prizes were distributed to a happy crowd of 73 members and guests: Double the number who normally show up at our general meetings! So we'll probably re-offend next year with another lobster feast. In July our group was invited to compete in a staff golf tournament. The outing was set up by a group of links enthusiasts at Radio-Canada in Moncton. In September we had our first ever social lunch followed by a general members' meeting at the Moncton Press Club. Upcoming pensioner, Jacques Robichaud, who is the retiring director of technical services SRC, Atlantic Region, gave us an excellent overview of the technical and programming impact of HDTV in Moncton and on the CBC network. Our thanks. Then down to business highlights. At our treasurer's request, Claudette Drisdelle and myself audited the Moncton financial statements: all is well and good under Francis Porelle's watch.

Moncton Turkey Supper Invitation

Members unanimously supported holding a Christmas Turkey Supper at the Beausejour Curling Club, 55 Essex St., Moncton. It's set for Wednesday, December 6, at 6 pm. Advance reservations requested. You will be contacted (if we have your number or e-mail address.) Tickets are $6.00 each for Moncton chapter members and guests, double that for non-members. Pay-your-own bar service. Entertainment and door prizes. Yvonne Cormier, director: (389-1051). Rita Arsenault, Leo LeBlanc and Maureen LeMay volunteered to organize the event, bless them. See you all there.

EAP IS THERE FOR YOU

By Bill MacKenzie

Through the Employee Assistance Program, immediate confidential help for any concern is just a phone call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pensioners and their spouses are entitled to free counseling on a wide variety of issues.

As of Sept. 29th Warrenshepell and FGI-world joined to become one of North America's leading providers of health solutions for employers, their employees and retirees. Dial (1-800-387-4765) and your call will be answered as Shepell-FGI, or you can check them out on line at www.warrenshepell.com After you explain your problem, they will refer you to a local professional.

An EAP BBQ was held on Sept. 29th at Bell Road, Halifax, and a few of our members showed up for burgers and hot dogs etc. More EAP events will be held in the coming months.

A new EAP logo was introduced recently. This fresh dynamic look better reflects what the EAP is all about - support and compassion. Reaction to date has been unanimously positive. The Marketing Committee who lead this project did a good job!

In Halifax, EAP material is available from Bill MacKenzie or Bob Marks.

In Moncton, the same services are available. Phone 858-9180 and ask for the EAP.

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

 

END OF THE FALL 2006 ISSUE