2003

Update on Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare

July 9, 2003

This notice offers guidance to Nova Scotia seniors who are members of the PSHCP or who are eligible for membership in the PSHCP.  At age 65, Nova Scotia residents become eligible to join the Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program if they are covered by Medical Services Insurance (MSI) and do not have drug coverage through Veterans Affairs Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health or a private drug plan such as the PSHCP.

Special exceptions applicable to PSHCP members

• Members of the PSHCP who qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement are eligible to join the NS Seniors’ Pharmacare Program.
• Members of the PSHCP who do not qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement are not eligible to join the Pharmacare Program. However, where total out-of-pocket expenses (PSHCP deductible and co-pays) exceed the cost of joining the Pharmacare Program, they are reimbursable by N.S. Pharmacare provided the drugs are eligible for reimbursement under the Pharmacare Program. You do not need to join the N.S. Pharmacare Program or pay any premium to obtain reimbursement.

Premiums to join N.S. Pharmacare

• If you qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, there is no premium;
• If you do not qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the premium is $336 per year; you may qualify for reduced premiums if you are single and your income is less than $24,000 per year or you are married and your income is less than $28,000 per year;

Co-payments under N.S. Pharmacare

• Your share of each prescription filled is 33% of the total cost of the prescription up to a maximum of $30 (as of April 1, 2003). The minimum co-pay per prescription is $3.
• The total annual maximum co-pay payable in a year is $350.

Maximum out-of-pocket expenses under N.S. Pharmacare are, therefore, $686 per year.

Additional benefit to Members of the PSHCP

An individual member of the PSHCP is eligible to make claims for reimbursement from the N.S. Pharmacare Program once out-of-pocket expenses for drugs exceed $336 (the premium for membership in the Pharmacare program) in a year. Only the co-pays relating to drugs included in the N.S. Formulary are counted towards the $336.

Eligible co-pays in excess of $336 are then reimbursable in the same manner as described above up to a maximum of $350.

Eligible co-pays in excess of $350 are reimbursed at 100%. As a member of the PSHCP, therefore, the maximum annual amount that you will be out-of-pocket for eligible drug claims is $686.

Keep copies of your receipts and the "Explanation of Benefits Form" from the Sun Life to support any claim to NS Pharmacare.

For further information:

• About the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP), please call the PSHCP Administrator at 1-888-7577427 toll-free, or click here.
• About the Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program, please call (902) 429-6565 or 1-800-544-6191 toll-free or click here.

2001

November 9 , 2001

Canadians shortchanged by narrow view of the country's health system

Ottawa, 8 November 2001 - "While federal and provincial politicians squabble over who pays what and entrenched interests protect their own turf, Canadians suffer" says Rex Guy, National President of the Federal Superannuates National Association when addressing the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology meeting on Canada's health care system in Fredericton today.

Mr. Guy made an obvious point; Canadian households pay all the bills for Canada's health care - 70% through taxes and another 30% through the purchase of drugs and health services. They don't care which level of government pays for what, only that it be done efficiently, effectively, and with respect to Canadian values like fairness.

To illustrate how badly the debate has been sidetracked, Mr. Guy pointed out that several provinces are trying to limit coverage for seniors' prescription drugs and convalescent home care when it is clear that broad national programs for everyone would save money. A national pharmacare program for all Canadians would allow governments to negotiate the cheapest possible price, reduce wasteful prescribing practice, and diminish drug interactions. A national convalescent home-care program would save money by emptying acute care beds. "How can governments ignore programs that promise better care and reduced costs?" asks Mr. Guy.

Mr. Guy was especially critical of proposals for two-tier health care, stating that a two-tier health care system is inherently inefficient - it would have greater costs for the same level of service, it would be administratively complex and violate all five principles of the Canada Health Act.

At the same time, Mr. Guy complimented the Committee on many aspects of their analysis so far. He agreed with their finding that the health system is not as bad as many would have us believe. Like the Committee he stressed the need for reform - especially primary care reform. He also agreed that reform has been stalled by powerful interest groups, but added that bringing not-for-profit groups to the table would be a powerful way of curbing their power. "Governments should promote informed participation by households and the organizations representing them," said Mr. Guy.

November 4, 2001

Brief to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

September 28, 2001

Proposed national drug formulary and common purchasing will provide little help for seniors

Ottawa, 24 September 2001 - “A national drug formulary and common purchasing for federal and provincial governments is long overdue, but it does not go far enough,” says Rex Guy, National President of the Federal Superannuates National Association.

This proposal would allow governments to negotiate lower prices, refuse high-cost drugs with cheaper alternatives, and better implement effective prescription strategies. However, a national program whereby both the public and private sectors could participate would be much more effective because the private sector spends twice as much on drugs as do governments.

Public and private participation would benefit all Canadian families by lowering their drug costs and promoting intelligent prescribing practice.

A national drug formulary and common purchasing proposal could be adopted by provincial and federal health ministers meeting in St. John’s today.  This proposal will only affect purchases in hospitals and other government programs.

Some data on drug costs – 1998

$ billion

Prescription Drugs All Drugs   $ % $ % Governments 3.9 (41.5) 3.9 (31.5) Private Sector 5.5 (58.5) 8.5 (68.5) Total 9.4 (100) 12.4 (100)

Source: Drug Expenditure in Canada – 1985 – 2000; Canadian Institute for Health Information, p. 7.

With a membership of 120,000, FSNA is a not-for-profit organization that represents the interests of retirees from the Public Service of Canada, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Judges, as well as their spouses.

April 24, 2001

Pay Equity Generated Superannuation Adjustments

Court Case re: Supplementary Death Benefit

Pension Plan Overhaul

Services Performed by Dental Students

2000

December 15, 2000

What Happens After You Apply for the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan

The increase in indexing that will be applied to Public Service, Canadian Forces and RCMP pensions in January 2001 will be 2.5% as announced by the Treasury Board.

Pensioners' Dental Services Plan - RULES

Pension Surplus Case

The Federal Superannuates National Association is among the 15 plaintiffs who have filed a claim under the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to  challenge the federal government's appropriation of the pension fund surplus.

The other plaintiffs are: The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, the Canadian Merchant Service Guild, the Federal Government Dockyard Trades & Labour Council (East), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Federal Government Dockyard Chargehands Association, the Research Council Employees' Association, the  Association of Public Service Financial Administrators, the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, the Federal Government Dockyard Trades & Labour Council (West), the Translator's Group Canadian Union of Professional and Technical Employees, the Social Science Employees Association, the Canadian Association of Professional  Radio Operators, the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association and the  Canadian Military Colleges Faculty Association.

On June 26, 2000, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Lalonde handed down his decision on the matter of jurisdiction in the Pension Surplus Case.

Justice Lalonde rejected all of the employer's preliminary grounds relative  to the employer's position that the Ontario Superior Court did not have  jurisdiction to hear the case.

Barring a successful appeal, this means the case will proceed. We will inform you of developments.

RMS Retirement Management Services Ltd
2000-2001 Retirees Dental Plan

Branches and/or members continue to receive literature from RMS Retirement Management Services Ltd advertising their Retirees Dental Plan.  This plan should not be confused with the federal public service Pensioners' Dental Service Plan (PDSP) to be implemented the end of this year. It remains FSNA's position that no private commercial dental plan offers the advantages to be provided by the PDSP.

Pay Equity Payment Schedule

The 21,000 pensioners eligible for pay equity payment may receive up to five cheques as per the following schedule.

April 2000:

Employee's salary adjustment under the agreement for the period 1 April 1989 to 28 July 1998. This cheque will also include a 5% lump-sum payment covering any possible personnel actions such as overtime, promotions and acting appointments for the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1994.*

June 2000:

Pay rates that took effect 29 July 1998, plus a retroactive payment for the period 29 July 1998 to the present.

August 2000:

Retroactive amount for the period 8 March 1985 to 31 March 1989, as well as a 5 per-cent lump-sum payment in lieu of recalculating personnel  actions such as overtime, promotions and acting appointments during this period.

(The third retroactive period predates the first two because it must be calculated manually and therefore takes longer to tally. The first two payments can be done automatically by the pay system.)

July-October 2000:

Salary adjustments based on the recalculation of personnel actions such as overtime, promotions and acting appointments from 1994 to 29 July 1998.

November-December 2000:

Interest on all previous payments. Canada Savings Bond interest rates will be used, with calculations based on the applicable rate for each six-month period.

As well, pensions and disability insurance benefits will be adjusted, starting in late 2000 and through 2001.

* The 5-per-cent payment goes to everyone to avoid the administrative nightmare of recalculating the thousands of variables inherent in 230,000 separate cases over a 15-year period.

Detailed information on how the payments may affect taxes is available at http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/pay_equity/payequity-e. html

19 June 2000

On 27 April 2000, the newly acquired FSNA building was officially opened in the presence of some 60 guests. Some of these guests graciously posed for the souvenir album and are identified from left to right in each photograph.

Federal Budget mostly good news for seniors.

FSNA welcomes the restoration of full indexation of the income tax system including the threasholds at which the OAS and Age Tax Credit reductions begin. These are measures that FSNA has advocated for some time.

FSNA would have preferred if the Minister of Finance had eliminated these clawbacks altogether.

Along with the restoration of full indexing, middle income tax rates will be lowered and the tax bracket thresholds will be increased - a positive effect for many seniors. There will also be automatic increases in the GST credit.

The Minister announced increased transfers to provinces for health care and while FSNA welcomes this increase in funding, it will remain to be seen how effective this is at reparing our damaged health care system.

1999

Winter 1999

Pensioners' Dental Services Plan

An Important Milestone Reached

On 5 November 1999, the Treasurer Board issued the "Request for Proposal" for the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan (PDSP). The document indicates that the plan will be available on a voluntary basis to approximately 332,000 persons who, on 30 June 2000, are receiving a pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, the Canadian  Forces Superannuation Act, the RCMP Superannuation Act, or certain other acts, as well as to future pensioners under those acts.

It proposes an implementation date of 1 July 2000 and states that the terms of the PDSP will be similar to the current Dental Care Plan for the Public Service.

The PDSP Consultation Committee did excellent work in developing the Request for Proposal and the details of the Plan. It consists of Guy Mauzeroll (Treasury Board), Claude A. Edwards (representing  Public Service Pensioners), Allan McLellan (representing Armed Forces Pensioners), and Ron Sparks (representing RCMP Pensioners). The Committee will continue to contribute to the development and the implementation of the Plan.

This dental plan for pensioners is a major achievement for FSNA that has been advocating such a plan for a number of years. FSNA confidently predicts that by next summer members will have something to  get their teeth into.

16 December 1999

National Joint Council Achieves New Partnership To Manage Public Service Health Care Plan

According to a 17 November Treasury Board news release, "Federal public service pensioners who believe they are entitled to receive payments under the agreement can obtain information by contacting the 1-800-561-7930. Pensions will be adjusted in the latter part of 2000, once departmental compensation advisors report the amounts to the Superannuation Directorate, which is responsible for making any pension adjustments."

As of November 22, 1999, a new toll free telephone number will be opened for former employees who are not receiving a federal public service pension, or their estates, to assist them in contacting their last employing department. This service will allow these individuals to self-identify and ensure that they are directed to the appropriate department where their possible entitlement will be determined. The number 1-888-346-8886 will be open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST).

http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/wnew/PayEquity/chrtepea171199_e.html

Court Proceedings on Pension Surplus

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada have filed lawsuits in the Ontario Superior Court to challenge a section of Bill C-78 that allows the federal Government to "retire" some $30-billion surplus from its employees pension plan.

FSNA is supporting this legal challenge and has contributed $10,000, as agreed to by its National Board of Directors at its April 1999 meeting

9 November 1999

The Public Service Alliance of Canada News Release on pension surplus court proceedings
http://www.psac-afpc.com/COMM/NEWS/1999/94-1199-e.htm

7 November 1999

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada News Release on pension surplus court proceedings
http://pipsc.streamwave.com/site/english/documents/release/1999/nov0 8-99.html

29 October 1999

Pensioners wishing to obtain more information on their pay equity settlement may call Treasury Board's Hot line at: 1-613-991-4044

Friday 29 October 1999

Officials of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) announced today that, following intensive discussions which began on Monday, October 25, 1999, they have reached an agreement on the implementation of the July 1998 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling on pay equity. A written request has been sent to the Tribunal seeking an endorsement of this agreement.

News release: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/news99/1029a_e.html

Agreement details: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/wnew/PayEquity/fcdpec291099_e.html#qa

Wednesday 27 October 1999

The Treasury Board has announced that the rate of indexing to be applied to Public Service, Canadian Forces and RCMP pensions in January 2000 will be 1.5 per cent.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat have started to meet to discuss what the implementation of the 1998 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling on pay equity would mean. . No information is being provided as to the details discussed.

http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/news99/1022_e.html

Wednesday, 20 October 1999

Federal Pensioners Welcome Pay Equity Decision

The Federal Superannuates National Association welcomes the Federal Court decision that would have the federal government pay an estimated $5 billion in salary and pension adjustments to some 200,000 male and female federal employees and retirees.

The Federal Court dismissed the government's appeal of last year's Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision that could bring about $2,000 per year of service to each employee and former employee who worked for the federal government between 1985, the year the "Equal pay for work of equal value" study started, and 1998, when the Tribunal ruled that the government had to wipe out the wage gap between male and female wages.

FSNA has previously been reassured by the government that any retroactive pay equity payments and adjustments made to employees will be made to eligible pensioners as well. "We have met with the former President of the Treasury Board Marcel Massé on several occasions and have argued that, because of the delays in settlement, eligible pensioners are being unduly penalized," said FSNA National President Rex Guy. "Not only are they owed back pay, but they are also entitled to retroactive pension adjustments; they are getting older."

The FSNA represents more than 100,000 retirees from the Public Service of Canada, the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

20 October 1999

Pay equity ruling upheld

The Federal Court of Canada (Trial Division) has dismissed the Attorney General of Canada's application for judicial review, thus maintaining the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal's decision that upheld the complaint made to the Canadian Human Rights Commission by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

PSAC's complaint alleged that the Treasury Board was in breach of section 11 of the Canadian Human Rights Act by maintaining differences in wages between male and female employees employed in the same establishment who are performing work of equal value.

Any wage adjustment found to be required would be applicable from March 1985 to the date of the Tribunal's decision, 19 June 1998.

No information is yet available as to whether or not the Treasury Board will seek leave to appeal the decision before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Justice Evans' Decision

http://www.psac.com/payequity/new/June99/decision/Evansdecision.ht m

Treasury Board news release

http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/news99/1019_e.html

PSAC News release

http://www.psac.com/COMM/NEWS/1999/87-1099-e.htm

Bill C-78 was passed by the Senate and received Royal Assent on September 14th, 1999

(28th Report) APPENDIX

BILL C-78, THE PUBLIC SECTOR PENSION INVESTMENT BOARD ACT:

27 August 1999

STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT
BEFORE THE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON BANKING, TRADE AND COMMERCE

27 August 1999

Notice to PSHCP members in Nova Scotia

12 July 1999

Bill C-78 Update

The Senate referred Bill C-78 back to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce for further review. The passage of the legislation to amend the Public Sector Pension Plans is in effect delayed until the Senate reconvenes in September. Bill C-78 was passed by the House of Commons on 25 May prior to being sent to the Senate for its consideration.

FSNA presented a brief to that committee on June 9th (document tabled and transcript of deliberations).

Branches who have not already done so are invited to contact their Senators to present the Association's position in the matter of the $30 billion pension surplus: that it should be distributed equitably among stakeholders, namely the pensioners, the employees and the employer.

To date, FSNA has made a presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations, on 28 April, to present views on Bill C-78. The National President also participated in a news conference on Pension Surplus on 29 April.

During his 19 April meeting with the President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Marcel Massé, Mr. Guy stated that pensioners were very angry and very disappointed that the Government has not been willing to discuss the distribution of the surplus. Background documents on why and how the surplus should be shared were tabled at that meeting.

15 April 1999

Bill C-78 legislation to amend the Public Sector Pension Plans was tabled today in parliament.

Treasury board links:
Legislation Introduced to Ensure Long-term Sustainability of Public Sector Pension Funds

Notice to employees - Legislation Tabled to Implement Changes to your Pension Plan.

Factsheets on Changes to Public Service Pension Plans - Changes to Employee Contribution Rate.

Factsheets on Changes to Public Service Pension Plans - Changes to Plan Management.

Factsheets on Changes to Public Service Pension Plans - Improvements to Employee Benefits.

This bill was one of the issues discussed at the National President´s 19 April 1999 meeting with the President of the Treasury Board.

FSNA calls for negotiated solution of the pension surplus issue

The largest association of federal retired employees, the Federal Superannuates National Association (FSNA), feels it can best achieve a positive outcome on the use of the $30-billion pension surplus with face-to-face meetings with government representatives.

The FSNA represents more than 100,000 retirees from the Public Service of Canada, the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It believes that meetings with Treasury Board President Marcel Massé, Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton, and Solicitor General Lawrence MacAuley will lead to meaningful discussions on a fair and equitable sharing of the pension surplus among the employer (the taxpayers), employees, and pensioners. The President of the Association, Rex G. Guy, has already written to Mr. Massé, demanding a meeting as soon as possible, as a first step in this process.

"These pension funds were built in part from what constituted the compensation package of these former employees," said FSNA Executive Director, JeanGuy Soulière. "Retirees want to have a say as to how it will be used, just as much as the employer. They are concerned that the surplus built up with their contributions will not be available for improved benefits."

9 March 1999

Statement by the National President on the Matter of the Pension Plans Surpluses

There has been a number of news media articles and reports recently on the matter of the Government's decision to deal with the existing surplus in the superannuation accounts of the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA), the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act (CFSA), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act (RCMPSA). There has also been a news media campaign initiated by a number of organizations stating that they are considering bringing the Government to Court on this matter.

Many of our members have asked what is FSNA's position on this matter and why we have not joined in this campaign.

In answering these questions, there are many considerations, some of a technical nature and some relating to FSNA's approach in dealing with the Government.

In relation to the surpluses, the Government position was clearly stated on 10 February 1999 in the press releases announcing proposed changes to the Superannuation Acts. It stated the current surplus will be retired over a period of up to 15 years and that the legislation will be amended to provide a means of properly managing future surpluses.

FSNA's position in relation to the pension surplus has always been clear and consistent: Any surplus must be shared equitably by the employer (the taxpayers), employees, and pensioners. This position has been included in a number of letters to Cabinet Ministers and in formal presentations to Ministers. FSNA believes that forcing a decision at the Supreme Court level on "ownership" of the surplus would inevitably lead the discussion away from a question of fairness and equity. FSNA has consulted independent professional and legal experts in the pension field and has been advised that, on the basis of current legal jurisprudence, the employer can decide how to dispose of the surplus. However, it should also be noted that, under the current legislation, the employer would be required to make up any shortfalls were the plan in a deficit position. Even in a deficit situation, the Government would not be able to reduce any of the benefits to pensioners.

Should the case be brought to court, FSNA will seek permission to be called as an "intervenor" in order to protect our interests and will present the position described above.

It is important to note that our position on the disposition of the surplus was clearly stated during the recent negotiations on Pension Reform on which our Immediate Past-President participated as the representative of public service pensioners. This Pension Reform Committee met for several months but the members were not able to reach agreement on a number of matters including the disposition of the surplus.

FSNA has worked, and continues to work, cooperatively with the unions. They know and understand our position on the equitable distribution of the surplus. They also understand the differences on the approach to the resolution of this problem.

FSNA will continue its efforts to get the Government to share the surplus in an equitable manner and obtain other improvements in the legislation. I have written to the President of the Treasury Board suggesting a meeting with him as soon as possible to discuss these matters.

When the proposed legislation is tabled, FSNA will continue to press for additional benefits for pensioners, including improvements to survivor benefits and will appear before the House and Senate Committees studying the proposed legislation. In the meantime, the development of a dental plan for pensioners has been initiated and FSNA is being consulted.

Finally, it is very important to remember that your benefits as a pensioner, including full indexation, are not being threatened and regardless of the finally approved changes to the legislation, the Government has guaranteed that your benefits will not be negatively affected.

Rex G. Guy
National President

March 1, 1999

Pension Reform
Questions and Answers

Introduction of a Dental Plan for Pensioners

The government of Canada announced today that it proposes to introduce a dental plan for current and future pensioners, their survivors and dependants.

The dental plan would be similar to the current dental plan for federal government employees. The plan would be voluntary with costs being shared on a 60/40 basis between the employer and the pensioner.

More consultation is required with stakeholders, including with pensioners, on the details of the plan before it can be established. Once consultation has been completed, Treasury Board will bring the dental plan into force. More details will be provided at that time.

The dental plan is a major achievement for FSNA which has, for many years, maintained pressure on the government to extend this benefit to pensioners. It is one of many legislative amendments proposed to the Public Service Superannuation Act, the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act.

More information is contained in a PRESS RELEASE, NOTICE TO PENSIONERS and NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES released jointly today by the Treasury Board president Marcel Massé, the Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton, and Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay.

Feb 3, 1999

Marriage after Age 60

The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed the application for leave to appeal in the Sutherland and King cases concerning survivor benefits for spouses who married a retired annuitant after the annuitant reached age 60.

This means that those who retired from the Canadian Forces and RCMP and marry after age 60 will continue to be denied survivor benefits for their spouses unless they purchase such a benefit within one year of their marriage.

The FSNA will continue to fight for amendments to these provisions.

1998

Nov 5, 1998

  The Treasury Board has announced that the rate of indexing to be applied to Public Service, Canadian Forces and RCMP pensions in January 1999 will be 0.9 per cent.
 

  The rate of indexation applicable to your pension from January 1998 is 1.9%.

  The recently released report of the `Standing Committee on National Defence and Veteran´s Affairs´ includes, at Chapter 4, a number of recommendations dealing with Canadian Forces retirees. This may be of particular interest to those released from the CF as a result of injuries received on duty in Canada while dealing with Regional or National emergencies. 

  To review this report in its entirety, click here.

August 21, 1998

Announcement

The Federal Superannuates National Association  (FSNA) is pleased to announce that Mr. Rex G. Guy was acclaimed to the position of National President during the Eleventh Triennial Convention of the Association which took place in Ottawa, August 17–20, 1998.

Founding President of the Orchard Valley Branch, in 1984, Mr. Guy became the Regional Director for Nova Scotia and a member of FSNA's National Board of Directors in 1992.

Mr. Guy served with the British Merchant Service and Canadian National Steamships from 1942 to 1950 until joining the Royal Canadian Navy from which he retired in 1983 with the rank of Captain.

Here is a press release which was published on July 28, 1998 by COSSE, of which FSNA is a member.

Seniors Welcome Death of Seniors Benefit
Ottawa, July 28 - "We welcome the statement by the Minister of Finance that in recognition of the improved fiscal position of the Government of Canada, the proposed Seniors Benefit legislation will not proceed", said Claude Edwards, pro tempore chair of the Coalition of Seniors for Social Equity (COSSE).
"We had recognized that the severe fiscal constraints on the government in 1995 and 1996 made the consideration of reducing government expenditures through cuts to a variety of programs, including Old Age Security, virtually inescapable. However, it was our position that there were serious flaws in the Seniors Benefit proposal that needed to be fixed, that implementation should be delayed beyond the proposed start date of 2001 and that the proposal should only be implemented if the government could assure Canadians that such drastic measures were necessary", said Edwards.
"We congratulate the Minister of Finance for listening to and understanding the concerns of the Coalition of Seniors for Social Equity and other seniors groups and for having the courage to recognize that the proposal is now not necessary, and for acting accordingly", said Edwards.
"At the same time, we are concerned with the position of lower income Canadian seniors who would have seen their incomes increased in 2001. We hope that the need to increase benefits for the less fortunate seniors and the commitment to full indexing of all benefits will not be forgotten. We are also concerned that future measures to reduce the costs of benefits for seniors may be introduced in future budgets making meaningful consultations almost impossible", said Edwards.

SENIORS WANT INPUT ON SENIORS BENEFIT
Ottawa ... While seniors are pleased that the Federal Government has listened to their retirement income concerns, they are anxious to provide additional input on the Seniors Benefit legislation, said Claude Edwards, pro tempore chair of the Coalition of Seniors for Social Equity (COSSE).
"In his budget speech, Finance Minister Martin indicated that the Seniors Benefit legislation will be presented to Parliament in coming months", said Edwards. "However, we expect that draft legislation will be tabled at an early stage so that we may respond before it is introduced in Parliament", he said.
COSSE also wants the opportunity to make representations before Parliamentary or Senate Committees charged with studying the legislation. "We will have to wait and see if the Government has truly understood our concerns", said Edwards.
The Coalition commends the Government for presenting a balanced budget.

COSSE is composed of four national groups representing 300,000 seniors.