CARP Edmonton members and friends welcomed Susan Eng, CARP National Vice President for Advocacy, to CARP Edmonton’s Annual General Meeting on Friday, May 2. More than 90 people were in attendance.
In her address, Susan highlighted CARP’s advocacy work and the importance of CARP chapter involvement and support in influencing public discourse, government policies, and law. Sheemphasized that Seniors are the most politically aware and engaged demographic, and they should not be taken for granted. Through the twice a month e newsletter, CARP Action Online, CARP gathers a snap-shot of members opinions. This information is shared with government and the media to call for measures to address jobs for older workers, caregiver support, long term care, pharmacare and pension reform. Attention is brought to the opinions because of the voting strength of this segment of the population.
This article originally appeared in the June 2014 edition of the Edmonton Senior, a local monthly paper, on page 8. To see this and other related article on their website, click here.
CARP’s AGM was not the only highlight of Susan’s visit to Edmonton. May 1, Susan Eng spoke at the annual National Congress on Housing and Homelessness, hosted by the Canadian Housing Renewal Association (CHRA). Susan spoke on a panel with Dr. Louis Francescutti, President of the Canadian Medical Association, and Brock Carlton, CEO of the Federation of Cana- dian Municipalities.
In front of hundreds of decision makers, practitioners, housing providers, policy experts, and advocates from across the country, CARP offered different perspectives on the need for affordable housing in Canada and made suggestions on how to best bring the issues to the attention of politicians and government.
Meetings with the Alberta government were also among the events and meetings while in Edmonton. Edmonton Chapter Chair Bernice Rempel, and Calgary Chapter Advisor Louise Yarrow, joined Susan Eng in a meeting with Alberta Minister of Finance, Hon. Doug Horner, to express CARP’s concerns regarding the Alberta government’s proposed changes to the province’s public pension plans. CARP urged the Minister to consider how the changes will water down the current defined benefits plans. The Minister invited CARP to take part in the recently announced public consultation process regarding a potential contribution cap.
CARP also met with Alberta’s Associate Minister of Seniors, Hon. Dave Quest. Joined by CARP’s Calgary Chapter representatives Judeth Stevens and Fran Jamison, and Edmonton Chapter Chair Bernice Rempel, CARP raised many questions in responses to the province’s health care, caregiver support, and age-friendly communities initiatives. CARP’s concerns were well received and the Chapters will continue the conversations with the Ministry to ensure CARP’s concerns are prioritized.
Edmonton Senior
