carp`s susan eng talks pension reform with diane ablonczy minister
Transcription
carp`s susan eng talks pension reform with diane ablonczy minister
ADDING YEARS TO LIFE & LIFE TO YEARS ACTION & ADVOCACY, BENEFITS COMMUNITY EDITORS ARLENE STACEY & PETER MUGGERIDGE CARP’S SUSAN ENG TALKS PENSION REFORM WITH DIANE ABLONCZY, MINISTER OF STATE (SENIORS), AND JIM FLAHERTY, FINANCE MINSTER THIS MONTH IN CARP ADVOCACY THE STRENGTH OF YOUR VOICE BENEFITS MOVING TO A NEW HOME, MINUS THE STRESS COMMUNITY “I’D LOVE TO VOLUNTEER BUT...” PLUS ELDER ABUSE: THE SILENT SHAME JUNE 2010 | ZOOMERMAG.COM 87 CARP ACTION ADVOCACY FROM THE DESK OF SUSAN ENG V I C E - P R E S I D E N T, A D V O C A C Y VOTE YOUR POWER How many people does it take to make a trend? For a teenager, it might only take the fashion choices of the coolest kids in the class. For Facebook aficionados, your page is ignored if you have fewer than 10,000 fans. But for pollsters who measure trends for a living, 1,500 people answering the same questions is a good predictor of how everyone in a generally definable group will answer. This seems so counterintuitive. We have different backgrounds, education, income levels and ages — especially ages! Surely our views are different from those much younger or older than us. Maybe so, if we are dealing with fashion or music, but apparently not when it comes to voting patterns. As some of you know — and we want the rest of you to subscribe and get to know — our e-newsletter, CARP ActionOnline, is published every two weeks and includes a survey. We poll our readers on everything from pension reform to caregiving, health-care spending and elder abuse. Out of 80,000 optin subscribers, we regularly get 3,000 to 5,000 survey responses. An analysis of the results is reported in the next newsletter and often included in our submissions to government. Along with thoughtful advice, the results also show how government policies affect voting intentions. Yes, we do ask. People can decline but rarely do. Why does it matter? Politicians know — because we keep reminding them — that 70 per cent of older Canadians vote regularly. Despite campaigns to get younger voters more engaged, it is the older voters who steadfastly exercise their franchise. When we show politicians that 74 per cent of more than 6,400 members condemned prorogation and would vote the government out of office over it, you can bet they pay attention. 88 ZOOMERMAG.COM | JUNE 2010 and had some advice for them. Our news release: “No more excuses” told them that, overnight, 1,700 members had provided detailed opinions about what the various political parties had proposed. Since then, some 800 more members added their voices, and the full report was brought to the finance subcommittee this spring at yet another pension reform consultation. We can also provide rapid re- And is this what would actually happen if an election were called? Let’s add it up. CARP members exactly fit the demographic that is the most politically engaged and an overwhelming majority of our survey sample was mad enough to make it count at the ballot box. And the 6,400 responses represent four times what the professional pollsters say is definitive — “19 times out of 20.” Would you bet against those odds? We proved it for ourselves. During last summer’s election watch, we tracked voter sentiment as the new Opposition leader was making good headlines. Professional pollsters were doing the same thing. We compared results. They lined up almost exactly. In fact, we caught the moment support for Michael Ignatieff turned several days before the media published their results — when he mused about pulling the plug. So how do we use these surveys? We make sure that the results are not just “nice to know” but also “not to be ignored.” When the finance ministers were about to meet in Whitehorse last December about pension reform, CARP wanted them to know we were watching sponse to emerging issues. When the drug store chains campaigned to overturn the Ontario government’s proposal to eliminate the rebates they were getting from generic drug manufacturers, CARP polled our members about the tradeoff between lower generic drug prices and the threatened closure of stores and withdrawal of services. We got our answer in 12 hours! Nearly 2,000 members — 92 per cent of our respondents — fully supported the government move. The Minister of Health quoted these results in the Legislature as a reliable measure of public support. Our members made a clear distinction between their pharmacists, whom they support, and the drug store chains that they saw as working against their interests. The chains should have checked with our members before inviting this backlash. CARP members are not afraid to express their opinions and to vote accordingly. Our polling provides them with the perfect opportunity to be heard as a group, coupling the power of numbers with the power of ideas and allowing both to resonate in the corridors of power. Instead of watching the trends, we can set them. In the Corridors of power CARP pitches pension reform on Parliament Hill CARP pushes UPP in Alberta In March, CARP appeared before the Federal Finance Committee to renew its call for a universal Pension Plan, a concept we’ve developed that would provide a retirement savings vehicle for the one in three working Canadians who retire without any savings. At the committee, CARP rejected the rosy picture of Canada’s retirement income system so often painted by some observers and stressed that any new supplementary pension plan must be universally accessible and affordable, provide an adequate pension, be professionally managed and be robust enough to withstand economic turmoil. CARP polls on pension reform stole the spotlight at the committee, with MPs of all political stripes repeatedly commenting on our members’ feedback. The MPs’ interest in our survey results reveals the strong impact of CARP’s online political expression tools, which include CARP e-voice, e-newsletter and e-polls. PHoToGRAPHy, VSToCK LLC (VoTiNG BooTH); GETTy iMAGES (PiLLS); CARP backs Ontario drug reforms This spring, CARP supported the Ontario government’s introduction of drug system reforms that aim to dramatically reduce the price of generic drugs and expand the professional services provided by pharmacists. The savings from these measures will be used to increase dispensing fees and payments for professional services actually provided by pharmacists. (Professional services can include monitoring or reviewing all your medication; help with managing chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma and chronic pain; and, especially, the management of narcotic drugs.) These policy changes will lower drug costs — for the tax-funded public drug plan, the private health plans and your own budget. There will be more access to professional advice from your pharmacists, since, under the reforms, they will be compensated by the province. Plus, there’s the potential that more drugs will be listed in the provincial formulary. While Ontario is taking the lead on drug system reforms, Quebec’s “best available price” rules suggest that it will likely follow suit. And the pressure will build for the other provinces who don’t adopt similar rules to explain to their taxpayers how they will ensure value for money in public spending for drugs. SIGN UP for CArPaction online! GET TiMELy uPDATES oN CARP’S ADVoCACy WoRK TWiCE A MoNTH WiTH ouR fREE oNLiNE NEWSLETTER. Go To > Carp’s MISSION The Alberta government launched pension reform consultations and issued a consultation paper that stressed the need for action to improve Canada’s retirement income system. Surprisingly, Ted Morton, Alberta’s finance minister, appeared to resist our calls for immediate action to fix Canada’s retirement income system, instead suggesting that pension reform should span a decade. urging the Alberta government to stop backpedalling on the issue, CARP submitted its proposal in April for a universal Pension Plan, highlighting the need for urgent pension reform aimed at alleviating the financial insecurity currently experienced by many older Canadians and to prevent such insecurity in future generations. CARP also shared its uPP proposal with the Wild Rose Alliance, a provincial party that has advocated a national pension plan that caters to private-sector workers and self-employed people. CARP meets in Manitoba Also in April, CARP was invited to the federal roundtable on pension reform in Winnipeg, where we presented our proposal for a universal Pension Plan directly to james Flaherty, federal finance minister, Diane Ablonczy, minster of state (seniors) and Ted Menzies, parliamentary secretary to the finance minister. Rosann Wowchuk (pictured above), Manitoba’s finance minister, was also in attendance. Wowchuk, along with her deputy minister and other senior officials, sat down with CARP the next day for a more detailed briefing. CARP also met with opposition critics to ensure that our message gets broad attention. As was the case when we met with finance ministers in newfoundland and nova Scotia, the provincial ministers in Manitoba were much more receptive to the need of pension reform than their federal counterparts. WWW.CARP.CA AND SiGN uP. if you DoN’T HAVE A CoMPuTER, LoG iN AT youR LoCAL PuBLiC LiBRARy. CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for a New Vision of Aging for Canada, social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and services to members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is building a sense of community and shared values. executive President Moses Znaimer vice-President, advocacy Susan Eng vice-President, member Benefits, & general manager Eric Vengroff vice-President, community Development Ross Mayot BoarD of Directors Maura Ruth Cohen, David Cravit, Lillian Morgenthau, Gord Poland, Eric Vengroff, Moses Znaimer aDvisory BoarD Dan Braniff, Sen. Larry W. Campbell, David Crombie, Monika Deol, Pier Giorgio Di Cicco, Gail Hinchliffe, Dr. Ron Keast, Dr. Colin Powell, Maj.-Gen. Richard Rohmer contact carP national office 27 Queen St. E. Ste. 702. Toronto M5C 2M6 416-363-8748 1-800-363-9736 support@carp.ca www.carp.ca june 2010 | zoomermag.com 89 carp action advocacy the silent shame When the paramedics finally arrived for Kathleen Grant, her legs were permanently bent out of shape, the skin had fallen off exposing bone and tendon, gangrene had set in and she was sitting in feces. But Grant, 78, was not trapped in a car or stranded in the woods. In fact, hers was a different kind of seclusion. She was under the care of her daughter, Margaret, 48, in an apartment in Moncton, N.B. The younger Grant had left her disabled mother in a chair for about three months. The daughter finally called an ambulance but her mother died four days later. “[The mother] didn’t have a circle of friends. People in the apartment did not even know that this person existed. They could hear the daughter talking loud but they figured she was eccentric … They were actually very surprised when [they saw] the old lady coming out of the apartment on a stretcher with paramedics,” says investigating officer Const. Pierre Parenteau of the RCMP detachment in Codiac, N.B. 90 zoomermag.com | june 2010 Elder abuse is a crime that occurs in nondescript houses on cul de sacs, in apartment blocks or behind closed doors in institutional settings. But it can just as easily occur in the opulent surroundings of the rich and famous. Take the case of the Astors, a famous old-New York family. In 2006, the media started following the story of Anthony Dryden Marshall, the 82-year-old son and caregiver of philanthropist and socialite Brooke Astor, who was then 104. After complaints from other family members, Marshall was charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, forgery, scheming to defraud, falsifying business records, offering a false instrument for filing and conspiracy in plundering her $198 million estate. The jury convicted Marshall of the most serious grand larceny charge. Marshall plans to appeal the ruling. The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as “a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.” ILLUSTRATION, BeATA SzpURA /ILLUSTRATION WORkS all too often we know the victims of elder abuse By james pasternak The victims suffer as silent outcasts; worst of all, the perpetrators are often family members or caregivers, as was the case with the Grants and the Astors. The abuse can be physical, psychological or financial. Research conducted by Environics for Human Resources and Social Development Canada found that 96 per cent of Canadians think most of the abuse experienced by older adults is hidden or goes undetected. As Canada’s population ages, the likelihood of elder abuse increases. According to Statistics Canada, in July 2009, Canada had about 1.2 million people aged 80 and over, as well as an estimated 6,000 people aged 100 and over. According to the latest population projections, the number of centenarians could reach 15,000 by the 2030s. Providing accurate and current information on the prevalence of elder abuse is a challenge because of the lack of research, absence of common indicators and reporting, and the insidious nature of the crime. The most widely quoted statistic about the prevalence of elder abuse is from a 1990 National Survey on Abuse of the Elderly in Canada, which concluded that about four per cent of seniors experience abuse. Other research has indicated that as many as one in 10 older persons in Canada experience some form of abuse. The Seniors Resource Centre Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SRC) reports that four to six per cent of the calls it receives on its provincial tollfree information line concern elder abuse. Alarmingly, in a 2008 Environics survey, 22 per cent of Canadians reported that they thought a senior they knew might be experiencing some form of abuse. Prevention, detection, intervention and prosecution seem to be common denominators in the fight against elder abuse. One of the prosecutors in the Grant case states that similar cases will become more prevalent unless society acts as a safety net for those who cannot speak for themselves. Landlords, medical practitioners, clergy, financial institutions and seniors’ support agencies should play a role. Kathleen Grant was seen by her doctor in May 2007 and, by all estimates, was confined to the death chair three months later. “[CARP] members overwhelmingly want tax dollars spent on intervention strategies. Eighty per cent say they are willing to step in, but they prefer to call in an agency with specialized knowledge and the authority to take action,” Susan Eng, CARP’s vice-president of advocacy, says. “Certainly, there’s no monopoly on caring about elder abuse, but there is no comprehensive and effective response. Public awareness programs help people realize that there’s a problem, but we need an obvious and readily accessible mechanism for them to get help for themselves or for someone they think is in peril. Right now, it’s a patchwork across the country.” The public is certainly looking for information and answers. The Environics survey found that 12 per cent of the 3,000 surveyed sought information about elder abuse in relation to a suspected situation. The same survey found that nearly five per cent of Canadians have searched the Internet for information specifically related to elder abuse. Engaging police in suspected cases is important, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a law enforcement issue. Sometimes — when it’s a suspected case of financial abuse — the amount of money missing does not merit the resources that a white-collar crime-style investigation would expend. In other cases, local law enforcement officials might consider the dispute a civil matter. In fact, many police services don’t have the resources for in-depth investigations. Police investigations can also be difficult when the alleged victim is suffering from dementia and is unable to provide a coherent or credible statement. Similarly, family violence laws have not proven to be an effective tool against elder abuse. CARP is calling for an overhaul of the delivery of existing social services and supports to help prevent, detect and prosecute cases of elder abuse. “There should be a 911-style hotline for elder abuse, directing calls to people with expertise; shelters for people who need a safe place to stay; an ombudsperson to spot-check care facilities; an elder-protection agency with authority to intervene; and expert support for criminal prosecutions. We already have a template in civil society for these functions — they just need to be applied to elder abuse,” Eng says. After her guilty plea, Margaret Grant was sentenced to four years in jail. It was a surprise to most as two years had been the traditional sentence for a crime of this nature. Then again, no one on the prosecution seemed too disappointed. In fact, many advocates for seniors wanted to see a stiffer penalty, especially for such a heinous crime. “The general public has to be more educated about the different forms of abuse, whether physical, mental or financial. The community has to be more involved. Here in New Brunswick, if you suspect abuse, it’s your duty to report it,” Const. Parenteau says. In fact, across all sections of society, many are calling for enhanced powers for social service agencies and law enforcement to intervene in suspected cases of elder abuse. As Const. Parenteau points out, “There’s a protocol in this province in cases of physical or sexual abuse of children less than 16 years old. There’s no protocol yet with the elderly. But it is something that is being worked on, and it’s probably the next step.” A National Survey on Abuse of the Elderly in Canada concluded that about four per cent of seniors experience abuse june 2010 | zoomermag.com 91 CARP ACTION BENEFITS FROM THE DESK OF ERIC VENGROFF V I C E - P R E S I D E N T, B E N E F I T S , & G E N E R A L M A N A G E R FOR ZOOMERS ON THE MOVE In addition to my responsibilities as the “B” (for Benefits) in the A-B-C value proposition of CARP, I’m also in charge of membership, which means I’m the guy who sends you your CARP membership cards. One thing I’ve learned about the CARP membership over the years is that you people are on the move — a lot! Roughly 10 per cent of our members change address on an annual basis (and sometimes they forget to tell us). Don’t forget to tell us next time you move, okay? You don’t need me to tell you that the whole process of relocation (and I mean the whole enchilada — selling your house, finding a new house, packing, moving and unpacking) is disruptive and expensive. What if I told you there’s a way to ease the pain and expense of this major life event? What if I told you there’s a way to save on your real estate commissions on both the buying and the selling of your home and that you also have a good chance of paying less than the estimate for your move? Would 92 ZOOMERMAG.COM | JUNE 2010 you split what you saved with me? That’s what I thought. No hard feelings. I’m going to tell you anyway. Relocation Services Group, a CARP-approved partner, has assisted thousands of clients through the entire relocation process, whether due to corporate transfer or personal choice. They will arrange for a top-producing realtor for your current home and your destination. They will also help you choose a reliable van line-affiliated moving company to provide you with a price-guaranteed quotation, and they will audit your billing prior to payment, giving you the peace of mind of knowing that no errors or overcharges have occurred. Approximately 80 per cent of moves coordinated by Relocation Services Group cost less than the estimate. For CARP members and their families, Relocation Service Group’s referring real estate brokerage will send you a cash-back rebate of up to $3 for every $1,000 of your home sale or purchase when you book through them. As an ex- ample, the sale of a $300,000 home could earn you a cash rebate of up to $900 and a purchased home of $400,000 will earn you up to $1,200 for a combined total of up to $2,100! You could use that money to offset your relocation expenses or to buy that new home entertainment system you’ve had your eye on. You don’t have to sacrifice quality in your choice of real estate agent or moving company to enjoy these great savings. Under the high-stress conditions of the typical move, testimonials aren’t the easiest thing for a company to come by. Relocation Services Group has a drawer full of them. The staff, from the CEO on down, are seasoned professionals. In the letters I’ve seen, appreciation for their care and attention to detail is both evident and abundant. PHOTOGRAPHY, PAUL CARRIE/STONE/GETTY IMAGES Relocation Services Group Zoomers and their families can receive a cash rebate when buying and/or selling real estate through Relocation Services Group. We offer full real estate, moving and mortgage co-ordination on a no-fee basis to our members and their families. To qualify, contact Relocation Services Group before you speak to a real estate agent or moving company. Save time and money on your next move. Call us today at 1-866-865-5504 or go to www. relocationservicesgroup.com/carp.htm. >CARP BENEFITS CARP Insurance from The McLennan Group offers complete insurance protection — the coverage you need at the best available rates. Call and speak with a licensed insurance professional or go to www.carpinsurance.ca. * • Auto & Home Insurance 1-888-509-4543 • Health & Dental Insurance 1-877-551-5566 • Travel Insurance 1-877-566-6805 • Follow-Me™ Plan 1-877-551-5566 • Critical Illness Insurance 1-800-929-6606 • Guaranteed Life Insurance 1-800-396-4389 • Long-Term Care Insurance 1-800-809-3055 • Accidental Death & Dismember ment Insurance 1-800-461-5796 (* Some products may not be available in all jurisdictions.) Everest Funeral Planning provides you and your family with funeral planning and concierge services to prepare for and deal with a funeral. Call 1-866-400-4944 or go to www.everestfuneral.ca. (Not available in Quebec.) CARP and Carlson Wagonlit Travel have partnered to provide you an unbeatable combination of service, convenience, value and more! With this new relationship, CARP members will enjoy our Price Match Guarantee policy and ‘Vacation Club’ value added offers on hundreds of vacation packages, cruises and tours through any one of over 175 agencies across Canada. At Carlson Wagonlit Travel, your vacation begins the moment you start planning it. That’s because our team of professional and experienced travel counselors are like no other. You’ll gain first hand knowledge from seasoned travel professionals as they help you choose the vacation of your dreams. Visit your nearest Carlson Wagonlit Travel office or speak to a Carlson Wagonlit Travel counselor today about the tempting offers available to CARP members by calling 1-800-CARLSON (227 5766) or go to www.cwtvacationclub.ca. CARP’s long-distance supplier, offers savings on all your long-distance calls. Call toll-free 1-800-547-2720. Cityfone Telecommunications offers CARP members savings on wireless phones and airtime packages. Call 1-888-322-1113 and identify yourself as a CARP member. A new standard in an all-in-one system with the premium sound of the Bose Wave music system. Try it risk-free for 30 days. If you aren’t satisfied, Bose offers to pay return shipping costs for CARP members. Ask about special offers. Call 1-800-340-2073 or go to www.bose.ca/carp. A personal emergency response service powered by Revision Security and featuring products by General Electric offers security for people requiring a direct link in case of an emergency. Call 1-877-4-911-SOS (767) or go to www. directalert.ca. No fee, unlimited 1% cash back, and access to worldwide renowned physicians. Reward yourself with the new Zoomer Rewards Master Card credit card. Treat yourself to 1% cash back on all net retail purchases, and automatic enrolment in the Best Doctors™ Program. Best of all, there’s no annual fee! For more details, call 1-877-428-6060. Hearing aids and assistive listening devices at affordable prices. ListenUP! Canada provides CARP-approved hearing health-care products and services, including no-cost hearing assessments and free batteries for five years with any hearing aid purchase — lowest price and satisfaction guaranteed. Call 1-800-935-0592 or go to www. listenupcanada.com. CPP/QPP Benefit Audit The Retirement Planning Institute provides CPP/QPP benefit audit services at discounted rates for CARP members. Call 1-888-822-3948 or email cpp@ rpi-ipr.com. CARP members get three great benefits: a low price-match guarantee against any national competitor, two weeks’ free storage and a one-year free CARP membership or renewal with any move. Call 1-888-AMJ-MOVE or go to www.amjcampbell.com. aaa CARP members can save up to $250 on the purchase of an adjustable bed. Call 1-800- 263-6632 or go to www.ultra maticsleep.com. Young Drivers of Canada CARP members get special prices on cognitive self-assessment and training, individual lessons and preparation for driver’s tests. Go to www.carp.yd.com. CARP On Demand is an emergency roadside assistance plan available 24-7 with your CARP membership. Members will be connected with an emergency roadside assistance dispatch operator who helps ON DEMAND 1-800-879-2847 (Avis); 1-800-268-8900 (Budget) CARP teams up with two leading worldwide car rental companies to offer special rates to CARP members. Quote AWD# C7444000 at Avis and BCD# A668600 at Budget. with towing, lock-out service, fuel delivery, battery boosts and flat tire change. These services are provided by Dominion Automobile Association. Call 1-866-636-3189. CARP members receive a special rate. CARP members enjoy savings on Attractions Ontario. We provide you with the most current information available for the many different types of attractions, so start planning your next road trip right here. Call 416-868-4386 or 1-877-557-3386 or go to www.attractionsontario.ca. MZTV Museum of Television offers a two-for-one deal to CARP members. Go to www. mztv.com or call 416-599-7339 (Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.). Royal Ontario Museum CARP members must book online to receive up to 32% off regular prices! Online purchases also allow CARP members to bypass the admission lineup and head straight to the ROM access point. Your discount will be automatically applied once you type in CARP as your promo code. CARP members save $100 on HD progressive lenses and 20 per cent off all other optical products. A complete list of more than 500 participating independent opticians across Canada is available on www.digitalrxcanada.com shortly or call toll-free 1-888-996-6637. Home Instead Senior Care offers CARP members: • 5% discount off all services (max of 100 hours of service) • Complimentary in-home care consultation • No-cost home safety check. For more info, go to www.homeinstead.com or call toll-free 1-888-348-3687. *CHECK OUT ALL THE SAVINGS AND CARP’S PRIVACY POLICY AT WWW.CARP.CA. CARP ACTION COMMUNITY F R O M T H E D E S K O F R O S S M AY O T V I C E - P R E S I D E N T, C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T FOOD BANK I’ve heard it many times over the past several months: “I have the time and energy to volunteer but I don’t know where best to apply myself.” I’ve written in previous columns about the various reasons people do or don’t volunteer. There are general trends in the decision-making process but, ultimately, each individual has personal reasons, and finding the right match between the needs of a volunteer organization and your skills and interests can be difficult. Rather than a lack of opportunity or interest, any hesistation before making a solid volunteer commitment is often a matter of finding the right match. Time commitment, scheduling, the skills and expertise required, interest level, travel requirements and costs, environment, flexibility, mobility requirements, level of supervision and insurance are all factors that come into play when mak94 ZOOMERMAG.COM | JUNE 2010 ing a volunteer commitment. Naturally, when it comes to volunteering, I’m inclined to encourage CARP members to get involved with our local chapters. The chapters provide a variety of ways to get engaged, meet new people, support important causes and do good in your community. And if there isn’t a chapter already operating in your community, we are always looking for dedicated individuals to help start new ones. You can find out more about our Chapters by going to the CARP website (www.carp.ca), contacting Gail Goldman at g.goldman@carp.ca or by phoning toll-free 1-888-363-8747. A potentially invaluable source of information in the search for the perfect opportunity, volunteer fairs are common in many communities and may be organized by libraries, volunteer centres, corporations or community service groups. They provide a casual and friendly venue for representatives of organizations and associations to inform people about opportunities in the community without the expectation of an immediate commitment. In our efforts to build alliances with other organizations that support the needs of an aging population, CARP has reached out to a number of community organizations over the past several months that provide excellent volunteer opportunities. Through this outreach effort, CARP is helping to: ■ Increase awareness of resources and services available in communities across Canada. ■ Promote community and social service programs. ■ Promote and celebrate the spirit of volunteerism. ■ Recruit new volunteers for good causes. To find out more about the volunteer opportunities available through these organizations, please go to the CARP website and click on the word “volunteer” near the top of the page. The list of organizations will continue to grow, and we encourage you to identify organizations that you would recommend be added. If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact Holly Vengroff at h.vengroff@carp.ca. It’s well known that volunteerism and community engagement are vital to personal longevity. So the next time you hear someone say, “I’d like to volunteer but I don’t know where to start,” tell them to start with CARP. PHOTOGRAPHY, DIGITAL VISION/RYAN MCVAY “I’D LIKE TO VOLUNTEER BUT…” > Cross-Canada chapters support your local chapter when you renew or buy a new Carp membership by quoting the promo codes beside the chapter in your area. Carp continues to add new chapters across Canada. if you’re interested in helping start a local chapter in your community, please contact anthony Quinn, Manager, Community Development, 1-888-363-2279 ext.224, a.quinn@carp.ca. avalon, n.l. (cH 1) ralph Morris 709-364-4928 carpavalon@yahoo.ca barrie, ont. (cH 36) gwen Kavanagh 705-721-5170 barriecarp@gmail.com brantford, ont. (cH 17) terry little 519-752-8642 carpbrantford@gmail.com calgary, alta. (cH 10) robert robotham 403-256-1181 carpcalgary@shaw.ca edmonton, alta. (cH 13) Bernice rempel 780-450-4802 carp.edmonton@shaw.ca etobicoke, ont. (cH 20) Contact gail goldman 416-368-3194 x 246 g.goldman@carp.ca fredericton, n.b. (cH 27) stephen goudey 506-458-2714 gowdpower@rogers.com georgian bay, ont. (cH 14) ian Kerr 705-446-1500 iankerr@rogers.com Halifax, n.S. (cH 22) Bill Vangorder 902-454-2267 bill@mrcassociates.ca Halton, ont. (cH 3) tom Carrothers 905-319-7345 tom@tjc-chem.ca Hamilton, ont. (cH 34) Carlos Duchesne 905-962-3535 hamiltoncarp@gmail.com kingSton, ont. (cH 24) Victoria pearson 613-532-9888 carpkingston@gmail.com kitcHener-waterloo, ont. (cH 25) John thompson 519-884-4050 carpkw@gmail.com london, ont. (cH 8) allan Wright 519-657-8534 carplondonchapter@gmail.com markHam, ont. (cH 28) terry D’silva 905-477-5727 wtd@tertec.com miSSiSSauga, ont. (cH 35) Murray Etherington, co-chair 905-824-0919 murrayetherington@yahoo.com moncton, n.b. (cH 32) peggy humby 506-854-8903 petgyhum@hotmail.com niagara, ont. (cH 31) Michael raimondo 905-704-6655 carpniagara@gmail.com B HOTEL DISCOUNTS FOR CARP MEMBERS Based on location, and room availability, the following chains have programs available for members of CARP. Discounts range from 10% to 25%, and are only available with advance registration. AmeriHost*..................................................................................... 1-800-996-2087 AmeriSuites ..................................................................................... 1-800-833-1516 Baymont Inns................................................................................... 1-800-980-1679 Comfort, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn** ....................... 1-800-424-6423 Chateau Beauvallon, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec*** ................. 1-888-681-6611 Clarion, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn**...................................... 1-800-424-6423 Days Inn* ......................................................................................... 1-800-268-2195 Delta Hotels.................................................................................... 1-800-268-1133 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts ......................................................... 1-800-441-1414 Hilton Hotels .................................................................................. 1-800-445-8667 Howard Johnson Hotels*............................................................. 1-800-769-0939 Knights Inn*..................................................................................... 1-800-682-1071 Motel 6 (Please quote I.D. Number CP54179) .................................... 1-800-466-8356 Novotel (Canada) .......................................................................... 1-800-668-6835 Premiere Executive Suites*.......................................................... 1-866-844-1333 Ramada Worldwide* ..................................................................... 1-800-462-8035 Red Roof Inns (Please quote I.D. Number CP519970) ...................... 1-800-733-7663 Sofitel ................................................................................................ 1-800-763-4835 Super 8 Motels* ............................................................................. 1-800-800-8000 Touchstone on Lake Muskoka*** ............................................... 1-866-928-1098 Travelodge* ..................................................................................... 1-800-545-5545 Wellesley Inns & Suites................................................................. 1-800-444-8888 Wingate Inn*................................................................................... 1-877-202-8814 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts ....................................................... 1-866-854-1604 * Please quote I.D. Number 60056 to receive discount ** Please quote I.D. Number 00088715 to receive discount *** Please quote I.D. Code CARP to receive discount nortH bay, ont. (cH 18) r.M. (ron) Farrell 705-497-0482 ronald.farrell@sympatico.ca okanagan valley, b.c. (cH 30) nigel Brown 250-860-5408 info@carp-okanagan.ca ottawa, ont. (cH 26) Janet gray 613-755-0055 carp.ottawa@gmail.com P.e.i. (cH 21) Craig Mackie 902-672-3400 carp.pei@gmail.com PeterborougH, ont. (cH 16) robert J. geddes 705-745-3771 geddesbob@yahoo.ca Pink cHaPter (cH 33) John thornton 416-619-5501 pink@carp.ca Sault Ste. marie, ont. (cH 15) Marilyn patterson 705-949-2299 marilyn.patterson@sympatico.ca Sudbury, ont. (cH 9) patricia Douglas 705-669-0045 carpsudbury@sympatico.ca tHunder bay, ont. (cH 23) allen richert 807-768-4746 richert@confederationc.on.ca toronto-leaSide, ont. (cH 29) Contact gail goldman 416-368-3194 x 246 g.goldman@carp.ca vaugHan, ont. (cH 5) george Mathew 416-879-8470 Carp.Vaughan@gmail.com victoria, b.c. (cH 19) raymond Welch 250-220-5870 raymondjwelch@gmail.com wHite rock-Surrey, b.c. (cH 11) Jack Mar 604-728-5349 arjmar@shaw.ca windSor-eSSex, ont. (cH 7) Bruce Draper 519-253-5059 gdraper2@cogeco.ca regional rePreSentativeS britiSH columbia Barry thomas 250-370-0130 barryandmary@hotmail.com Looking for extra income? Become a CARP Ambassador Here’s a great way to help CARP’s ‘March To A Million’ – and earn extra money at the same time. CARP is looking for energetic, motivated people to sell CARP memberships to individuals, groups and businesses in their local communities. Work par t-time, full-time, at your own pace…it’s totally flexible. And you get complete sales suppor t and training, plus competitive commissions. Call 416.363.2277 ext 223 or email d.wight@carp.ca for more information. Let’s get started!