CARP Adds A Key Branch in British Columbia
When CARP’s President Rudy Buttignol travels to his home province, British Columbia, to participate in an inaugural event for the Vancouver Chapter, it is the kind of good news story we can all embrace in this time of too many gloomy headlines. Buttignol was pleased to participate on St. Patrick’s Day as part of a successful CARP members’ event, the first in Vancouver since the Chapter was reestablished last year. In an exclusive interview for this newsletter, Buttignol praised Vancouver’s Chair Corina Stainsby for revitalizing the Chapter “with a younger and highly engaged group of directors.” He went on: “Their volunteering efforts to improve the life of older adults is sure to help increase membership in BC.”
Corina Stainsby is very pleased with Buttignol’s support. “Rudy has been very generous with his time—always quick to respond to questions—and I was grateful to have him attend our very first Vancouver Chapter event. His presence meant a lot to all of us.”
Stainsby credits Kim Lepp, now a key part of the Vancouver board, for aiding in the revival of the Chapter. “In July 2023, Kim arranged a meeting with me and Ramona Kaptyn, who at the time was CARP B.C.’s Chief Advocacy & Communications Officer,” recalls Stainsby. “Together, we discussed what it would take to bring the chapter back to life.”
Stainsby came away from that meeting armed with the tools to get the Chapter going again. She asked Lepp to work with her on the chapter. “Kim and I felt strongly that Vancouver seniors needed a voice—both locally and nationally—and that a Chapter could provide a valuable platform for connection, advocacy, and community engagement,” she says. “We also saw it as a wonderful way for seniors to socialize and build new friendships. By November 2023, after a planning meeting/dinner hosted by CARP President Rudy Buttignol, we officially formed the founding board of the new CARP Vancouver Chapter.”
Stainsby is very pleased with her Board, which includes Lepp; Carmen Ruiz y Laza, host of the acclaimed Carpe Diem TV show; Judie Dahl, founder of Dahl and Associates Moving Concierge; Hannah Cheng, owner of CHY Design; Keith Fairbarn, Regional Director of Hero Home Care; and Derek James, Senior Wealth Advisor from CIBC Wood Gundy.
As for Stainsby, she “moved to Vancouver with my family in 1976 when I was just nine years old, and I’ve called this city home ever since. I have two sisters, and we grew up surrounded by the beauty and multiculturalism of this city. Professionally, I began my career in healthcare as an Occupational Therapist, which laid the foundation for my passion for working with older adults.”
She changed careers nine years ago, moving into real estate, but maintained a focus on seniors and their families dealing with downsizing and as she refers it, “later-in-life transitions.” Stainsby is now a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) and Lifestyle55+ Master, Realtor®. Her focus is to “empower older adults with knowledge, resources, and compassion, so they can make informed and confident decisions about where and how they want to live.”
The St. Patrick’s Day event was the result of planning by the board, which had decided to create three or four major celebrations a year. It was decided that all of Chapter’s members would be invited for “a fun and lighthearted theme (party)—and it just so happened that Kim Lepp knew the owner of a great local pub,” says Stainsby. “Despite a classic Vancouver downpour, the event was a success! We had a lively crowd, lots of smiles, and it was a wonderful opportunity for members to connect in person.”
Corina Stainsby has a vision for her Chapter, which is impressive and forward thinking. In a note to CARP Action, she states: “My hope is that we can fulfill CARP’s mission of being a strong advocacy voice for older Canadians—championing causes like healthcare access, financial security, and freedom from ageism—while also building a true sense of community and connection.
“I envision the chapter as a place where people can come not only to learn and stay informed, but also to laugh, share stories, and feel supported. Whether through informative seminars, social gatherings, or volunteer opportunities, I want our members to feel that this chapter is here for them—wherever they are in their journey.”
