Ontario East, North & Outaouais / Newsletter, April 2018
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
- Upcoming Meetings
- From our Chapter Chair
- President’s Message
- Pension Committee Update
- Aliant Atlantic Chapter Update
- Board Nominations & Elections
- Ontario Announces OHIP+ forSeniors
- Ottawa Chapter Executive
- Membership Renewals & Applications
UPCOMING MEETINGS IN YOUR AREA
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
City / Date / Time / PlaceOttawa* / Wed 30 May2018 / 9:30am - 12:30pm
Registration at 8:45am / Nepean Sportsplex (Salon A)
1701 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa
Kingston / Tue11 Sept 2018 / 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Registration/Social 1:00pm / Salvation Army Citadel
816 Centenial Dr, Kingston
Ottawa / Wed 24 Oct 2018 / 9:30am - 12:30pm
Registration at 8:45am / Nepean Sportsplex (Salon A)
1701 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
*Speaker: Martin de Gooyer,Senior VP Channels Corporate Development, Bell Canada.
FROM OUR CHAPTER CHAIR1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
Hi Everyone!
I hope that you survived the winter and I know spring cannot come too soon.
You won’t want to miss our next Ottawa and Kingston meetings this year. Please mark the dates of 30 Mayand 11 Sept in your calendars. Let’s spread the word and get as many people out as possible.Remember our meetings are open to spouses and family.
Our Ottawaguest speaker is Martin de Gooyer, Senior VP, Channels Corporate Development, Bell Canada.In addition we will have a representative from the Benefits Department who will be able to discuss any issues you have.
The agenda for our Kingston meeting will include an update from BPG on pensions.We have requested local MP, Mark Gerretsen, to discuss pension reform related to the federal bankruptcy laws which could prevent another Sears fiasco.Guest speaker, Sherry Whitehorne, Kingston audiologist and owner of Limestone Hearing Care Centre, will speak on hearing aids and tests.For any questions, call Diana Kwiatkowski at 613 542 7409.
The three Ontario Chapters have partnered to launch an Ontario Facebook page.Its team will provide interesting articlesand moderate the site.It has been three weeks since the Facebook page was launched and we have experienced great success. We have had 3702 page views, 835 followers and 704 “likes”.We invite you to discuss articles
posted there, concerns related to your Bell pension, benefits or other related items. Please check us out, join and “like” us at:
Marlyn Easterbrook
Chapter Chair for Ottawa, including
Ontario East, North & Outaouais
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
BPG is excited to announce the addition of a new chapter, the Aliant Atlantic Chapter, with members based in Newfoundland and Labrador. Adding another chapter and more members, potentially from all the east coast provinces, gives us a louder voice when we are talking to government agencies and other pension groups. The louder our voice, the more our message will be heard!
We are also very pleased that Bell included our BPG postcard “Become a Member” in the Bell Canada pension statements that we recently received. It is a great way to reach out to pensioners who are not currently members. I am very happy to report that we have already seen an increase in new members since the pension statements and postcards were sent out. Future mailings of the pension statements from Télébec, BCE, and Bell Aliant will include the postcard as well.
The Sears Canada bankruptcy news continues to be disturbing, especially to their pensioners. Federal legislation to protect the security of our pensions in the event of sponsor failure is long overdue.Many Pension Advocacy Groups across Canada are banding together to support this cause. We are strongly represented among them! We may call on members from time-to-time to participate in spreading the message about the need for bankruptcy reform in some way.
We are preparing for our regular spring face-to-face meeting with Bell in Montréal in April, and look forward to discussing many issues with the Bell representatives, including the status of our pension plans. As usual, we will share information from that meeting with you. We are happy to report that Bell has once again made a voluntary contribution to the Bell pension plans and that the Company continues to be a financially strong plan sponsor.
This year is shaping up to be another busy one for BPG! We hope to see you at your chapter’s spring Annual General Meeting. Denis, Diane, and I will be providing you with the latest BPG pension update and we look forward to seeing you there!
Take care,
Patte Seaton
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
Pension Committee UPDATE1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
National Day of Action
The Sears bankruptcy in 2017 brings into sharp focus the need to reform Canada’s laws governing bankruptcy to better protect pensioners. Last fall many BPG members signed an on-line petition developed by CARP (formerly the Canadian Association for Retired Persons) encouraging the federal government to review and revise those laws.
In addition, BPG representatives attended a reception on Parliament Hill to raise our concerns surrounding this issue with federal MPs. Unfortunately, to date, the Trudeau government has shown little interest in taking action on this front.
On 21 February 2018BPG members participated in a National Day of Action, organized by the Canadian Federation of Pensioners (CF) in collaboration with CARP and the Canadian Labour Congress. Our Québec-based members were encouraged to send letters to their MPs, while in Newfoundland and Labrador and in Ontario,BPG members, along with representatives ofthe other participating organizations, met with Liberal MPs to reiterate concerns regarding the bankruptcy rules.
This remains a long-term fight to, first get the government to even consider reviewing the legislation, and then to obtain the changes that we believe are warranted. We will continue to keep you informed of our progress.
Ontario Passes Pension Legislation
On 14 December 2017 the Ontario legislature passed Bill 177 introducing several important modifications to its Pension Benefits Act (PBA). This provincial legislation affects BPG pensioners who are members of the BCE pension plan; all other Bell plans are subject to federal rules and regulations.
Bill 177 introduces two key changes from a pensioner’s perspective:
- While “going concern” funding requirements are enhanced in some respects, the funding requirements based on solvency valuations are reduced: the rules are now based on achieving a solvency funding target of 85% (rather than 100%); a plan will thus be considered to be fully funded if it has assets sufficient to cover 85% of the plan’s liabilities, assuming that the plan was to be wound up immediately (e.g., in the case of the employer’s bankruptcy).
- Ontario is raising the maximum monthly pension amount covered by the provincial “insurance” scheme, from $1000 to $1500. While this is a positive step for pensioners, it falls far short of CFP’s recommendation that Ontario fully protect pensioners in the event of plan sponsor failure as a trade-off for the weakened plan funding requirements.
Over the past year, representatives of the CFP, supported by BPG, spent countless hours meeting with provincial MPPs (including several cabinet members and the Ontario premier) and key staff in an effort to ensure that any changes to the PBA would not harm pensioners. Despite indications from various government officials that they were receptive to CFP’s recommendations they ultimately chose to ignore them.
As a result, the swift passage of this Bill comes as a major disappointment.
Manitoba to Review its Pension Legislation
The Government of Manitoba has recently initiated a consultation process regarding its pension regime. This consultation includes a review of its pension funding rules and the consideration of Target Benefit Plans. Sadly, Manitoba seems to be poised to follow Ontario’s lead in weakening pension security through relaxed funding rules. BPG will be a party in two submissions in that consultation process: one by CFP (addressing the full range of issues) and one by the Canadian Coalition for Retirement Security (which will address issues related to Target Benefit Plans), both of which will defend pensioner interests. The results of this consultation are expected to be announced later this year.
Voluntary Contribution by BCE to Pension Plans
In December 2017 BCE made a voluntary contribution of $100M to the BCE and Bell pension plans. The BCE plan was the recipient of the bulk of that contribution, $86M, while the remaining $14M was directed to the Bell Canada plan.
The $86M contribution benefits BCE pension plan members by significantly improving both the solvency and going-concern ratios of the BCE plan as of year-end 2017. (Solvency and going-concern ratios indicate, respectively, the extent to which pension fund assets cover fund liabilities, assuming the plan were to be either terminated or to continue in operation indefinitely.) The exact impact on these ratios will only be known once the actuarial reports are completed later this year. We will keep you posted on developments.
This move by BCE has the added benefit of
providing Bell with tax savings of $50M tax in 2018.
We are pleased with BCE’s decision to make this contribution, given that the BCE plan was the most poorly funded of all the Bell pension plans.
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
ALIANT ATLANTIC CHAPTER UPDATE1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
As Patte indicated in her President's message, we are thrilled to welcome the Aliant Atlantic Chapter to BPG.The Newfoundland-Labrador organization, also known as BAPAN (Bell Aliant Pensioner Association of Newfoundland), officially joined the fold in January as our seventh chapter.
We have been working with Bob Noseworthy and his executive team from the Newfoundland-Labrador organization since the fall of 2016. Approval was granted bytheir members to move ahead with the mergerat theirfall AGM last year.
The gradual transition will take place over the next few months and will see us adding approximately 600 members initially. Of course, the more members and territorywe represent, the stronger our voice in working with the various levels of government to support defined benefits pensions.
We anticipate that this new chapter could, in the future,additionally draw members from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, increasing the strength of BPG.
Welcome to our new Aliant Atlantic Chapter!
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2018-2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
The Bell Pensioners’ Group is a not-for-profit organization that has been incorporated federally.As per our by-laws, the BPG Board may consist of between 7 and 20 members; as in the past, we aim for our Board to have good provincial representation and reflect, as much as possible, a proportional representation of our membership. Board members may serve up to three consecutive terms of two years.
We now have seven director positionsreserved for chapter chairs elected by their respective chapters (three in Ontario, three in Québec and one for Aliant Atlantic). The remaining positions are filled based on recommendations by our Nominating Committee which have been presented to the Board. The Board now presents this slate of directors to our members.
Proposed Slate of Directors for 2018-2019
(to be elected by all members)
Ontario / TermPatte Seaton / 2018-2019
Diane Holgate / 2018-2019
Gayle Duchene / 2017-2019
Marg Eades / 2018-2020
Dave Palmer / 2017-2019
Peter Dilworth / 2017-2019
Denis Henry / 2018-2020
Lee Anne Mackey / 2017-2019
Québec / Term
Denis Marquis / 2018-2020
Carol Lacroix / 2018-2020
Raynald Wilson / 2018-2020
Christiane Chabauty * / 2018-2020
…ctd on next page
Chapter Chairs(to be elected by members of each respective chapter)
Ontario / Chapter / TermMarlyn Easterbrook / Ottawa including Ont.East, North & Outaouais / 2018-2020
Carol Ann Cole* / Ontario Central / 2018-2020
Steve Longeway* / Southwestern Ontario / 2018-2020
Québec / Chapter / Term
Lucie St-Arneault / Montréal / 2017-2019
Roger Gauthier / Télébec / 2017-2019
Marjolaine Gilbert Poulin / Québec / 2018-2020
Newfoundland / Chapter / Term
Bob Noseworthy / Newfoundland / 2017-2019
*New candidate. Please see profile below.
BPG continues the meaningful work of protecting our pensions and we are alwayslooking for volunteers for our Board, our committees, in other leadership roles, and for project work at both the national and chapter levels. If you are interested in volunteering for BPG and leveraging your talent, we need you! Please do not hesitate to contact Hélène D. Lefebvre at
We are actively seeking replacement for three key positions. Please let Hélène know if you or someone you know is interested:
- Chapter Chair or Vice-chair for Ottawa, including OntarioEast, North & Outaouais
- Secretary position
- Communication backup
You will find below the list of the nineteen candidates recommended for the 2018-2019 Board of Directors.
BPG members will be asked to approve, by a show of hands, the election of these dedicated volunteers at the spring 2018 Annual General Meeting of each chapter. Please see our website for the AGM dates at
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
*New Candidates Recommended for the Board
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
Christiane Chabauty
Christiane retired from Bell in July 2002, after more than 32 years of service. Over the course of her career, she held various positions in the Sales and Business Services Group, Residence Long Distance Product Management, and in Residence Customer Services as General Manager. She completed her career as head of Billing Operations at Certen.
After leaving Bell, Christiane had a second career with Amdocs as General Manager of Billing Operations. She was responsible for opening the operations offices in India and transferring the functions related to Bell's activities. During her last two years, she joined the acquisitions team and was responsible for integrating human resources
and businessprocesses following the purchase of new companies located mainly in Asia. Christiane retired from Amdocs in 2013 after more than 11 years of service.
Steve Longeway
Steve worked at Bell Canada for over 35 years, retiring in August of 2011. He started in Bell in the Materiel Department in Kitchener and then moved to London. Later he returned to Kichener-Waterloo to work in Residential and Business Operations teams. He finished his career as Manager for Field Services in the Business Management Team for Hamilton, Windsor and Kitchener.
While in London Steve volunteered with the Employees’ Fund for Community Services and this association continued in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge. Steve is currently
a member of the Board of Directors of Comtech Fire Credit Union, formerly the Telephone Employee’s Credit Union where he wasa Board member for 33 years.
Steve retired to Wheatley Ontario, a small fishing village next to Point Pelee National Park. In 2012 he joined BPG, Southwestern Ontario Chapter, as the Windsor Area representative.
Carol Ann Cole
Carol Ann retired from Bell Canada in 1994 as a vice president with over 27 years of service. Hired as a Service Order Writer in North Bay her career included moves to Kingston, Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal and back to Toronto. She worked in the Business Office, Line Support, Labour Relations, Materiel and Automotive, BCRIS, Installation and Repair, and Logistics. She was President of the Algonquin Council of Telephone Pioneers of America in the late 1980s.
After her Bell career Carol Ann started a professional speaking business, COLEMIND, wrote her memoir, “Comfort Heart”. As founder of the Comfort Heart Initiative, she has raised over one and a half million dollars for cancer research through the sale of Comfort Hearts in cooperation with the Canadian Cancer Society. She is currently Vice Chairperson of the Patient Advisory Committee at the Mount Sinai Academic Family Health Team.
Carol Ann is a Member of the Order of Canada and has received numerous other awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, the Maclean's Honour Role, the Terry Fox Citation of Honour, the Bell Heroes Award and was one of L’Oreal’s dozen outstanding Canadians celebrating International Women's Day. She is profiled in the“Canadian Who's Who” and in the 2005 edition of “1000 Great Women of the 21st Century.”
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
ONTARIO ANNOUNCES OHIP+ FOR SENIORS1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTER April 2018
OHIP has announced that more than 4,400 prescription drugs will be made available free of charge for everyone 65 and older. This new plan will help make life more affordable for 2.6 millions seniors and their families, starting on 1 August 2019.Please see the article by CARP at
carp.ca/2018/03/28/ontario-expands-ohip-now-includes-65/
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTERJuly 2016
1
BELL PENSIONERS’ GROUP – OTTAWA CHAPTERJuly 2016
OTTAWA CHAPTER EXECUTIVEThe Ottawa Chapter Executive of the Bell Pensioners’ Group comprises the following members:
Chair / Marlyn Easterbrook / Members at Largectd / Lancy HumTreasurer / Halyna Beznaczuk / Brian McClean
Treasurer (retired) / Don Dutton / George McDougall
Secretary / Geraldine Foot / Harold Reece
Membership Coordinator / Michel Brisson
Webmaster / Terry Acker / Kingston Committee
Members at Large / Brenda Burke / Kingston Prime / Diane Kwiatkowski
Sandra Freeman / Members at Large / Marg Bryant
Bill Gooderham / Roger Bryant
Harvey Hillier / Ed Payne
1