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April 20, 2007
Bulletin to Branches 2007-04
The First
This being my first edition of the Bulletin to Branches I want to do two things with
this opening topic. First, a brief “hello” to all our branch volunteers who are the
backbone of this Association. I want to assure you that the staff of the National
Office will continue to work to support your efforts to serve our members. Further
along in this bulletin you will encounter information about a restructuring of the
National Office that is intended to improve our efforts in this regard.
Second, I want to especially thank Jean-Guy Soulière, former Executive Director,
and Dennis Jackson, National President, for their personal support during the
period of my transition from Associate to Executive Director. Their approach to the
transition, along with the support of the members of the National Board of
Directors (NBOD), made it a seamless and very positive experience. Thank you.
PSHCP – Transition from Trust to Authority
To allow a smooth transition from the current governance of the Public Service
Health Care Plan (PSHCP) to the new governance model, the PSHCP Trust has
been extended until May 31, 2007.
By then, it is expected that the Partners Committee and the new corporation that
will be charged with the administration of the PSHCP will be in place to begin
assuming their responsibilities in the continuation of the proper governance of the
PSHCP.
In addition to the new corporation, a senior-level forum will be put in place to
resolve substantive issues concerning the PSHCP. This new senior-level forum will
be comprised of representatives of the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada,
representatives of the bargaining agents who are part of the National Joint Council
and a representative of federal pensioners. Our National President and I will share
the role of pensioners’ representative in this new forum. Charlotte Roy, Research
Officer at the National Office will be a director on the Board of the new corporation.
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Special Advisor
As indicated in the spring ON GUARD, Jean-Guy Soulière is remaining with the
Association as a special advisor to the National President and myself. His major
priorities will be to spearhead the preparations for Convention 07 and to ensure our
members’ interests are protected as the Public Service Health Care Plan Trust is
dissolved and the new PSHCP Authority is created and begins to function.
Special meeting of NBOD
A special meeting of NBOD was held March 29 & 30. The Board dealt almost
exclusively with the resolutions going to Convention 07, including the ones dealing
with the proposed changes to FSNA’s by-laws & governance and financial matters
such as membership dues, three-year budget). The completion and distribution of
the minutes of this meeting will be delayed as we work to complete the delivery of
convention-related materials. The impact of this delay will be somewhat limited
because most of the information the minutes contain will be delivered to branches
and Convention delegates in other forms, such as the Convention Workbook.
Reorganization of National Office
Effective April 2, 2007, the structure of the National Office was changed to that
depicted in the attached organization chart. The main purpose behind the
restructuring was to put more focus on, and effort into, the provision of services to
individual members and our branches, enhance our research capabilities, and
establish a clear line of responsibility for corporate matters. The restructuring
addresses some of the findings of the consultant who reviewed the National Office
operations during the fall of 2006. It also incorporates ideas and suggestions put
forward by the National Office senior managers. Although it won’t be noticeable
immediately, the new roles of some staff, and the redefined responsibilities for
others, should lead to improvements in the levels and types of services provided
from our National Office.
Letter to Minister of Public Safety re RCMP Pension Plan
One of the attachments to this bulletin is a self-explanatory letter to Stockwell Day,
Minister for Public Safety. We wanted to remind the minister, as well as his
counterpart at Treasury Board, of the Association’s continuing interest in the
financial and operational soundness of the RCMP superannuation plan. Our
research staff and members of the NBOD continue to monitor the media and other
sources for up to date information.
Convention 07
Action Delegates to Convention 07 will be provided with a Workbook to Delegates
consisting of two volumes. Volume I will provide the background on the program
(e.g. agenda, elections, issues underlying the resolutions) and place the various
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resolutions to be considered in the context of the background. Volume II will consist
of the resolutions that appear on the Resolutions Committee Web site including the
comments received, the results of the survey of branches, and the recommendation
of the NBOD on each one. Branches will receive a copy of each volume prior to
Convention and delegates will receive a copy of each volume at least 60 days prior to
Convention as per the requirement of FSNA By-laws.
Please note that branches are encouraged to select their delegate(s) as soon as
possible. One of the reasons is that delegates are to inform Jean-Guy Soulière
(souliere@fsna.com) as soon as possible whether their spouse would be interested in
having a spousal program during the convention. Such a program would not cost
more than $100.00 per spouse. (See attached Communiqué No. 6 for more details.)
PS Pension Advisory Committee
The Public Service Pension Advisory Committee met on March 19, 2007. The
principal topic of discussion was the Pension Modernization Project. Many
members are new to the committee, but Jean-Guy Soulière will continue to
represent all PS pensioners.
National Volunteer Week April 15-21
This will arrive somewhat after the event but it’s still
appropriate to recognize our volunteers. Not-for-profit
organizations such as our Association only exist, grow,
and prosper because of efforts of member-volunteers.
Certainly, the FSNA is a shining example of an effective
organization that prospers because its members care. Those of us who work for you
as staff say “thank you” as do, I am sure, those FSNA members you serve.
Spring 2007 Federal Budget
The last federal budget contained several good news for pensioners, in particular
the confirmation that pension splitting (now also referred to as “pension income
reallocation”) that is applicable for the 2007 taxation year. Also included in this
budget are the increase in the spousal amount (a non-refundable tax credit
increased to same as basic personal amount), the increase of the age limit from 69
to 71 for maturing RPPs and RRSPs, as well as the phased retirement provisions
that recognize the changes in the demographic make-up of the workforce.
Pension Plans Surplus Trial
The most recent developments on the $30 billion superannuation surplus trial are
posted on the FSNA Web site (www.fsna.com). A box has been put to this effect at
the top of the home page of the Web site.
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New Broker for FSNA Long-term Care Insurance
On April 6, 2007 VMA & Associates (Brian Morin and Brian Veinot) our current
LTCI broker, announced the sale of their business to Johnson Inc. - who has now
become our broker of record for LTCI. This is very positive news for our members
as they can now look to Johnson Inc. for all of their insurance needs - be it home,
auto, travel, or long-term care insurance. In addition, Johnson Inc. has offices
throughout Canada and can serve our members in both official languages.
This change will be transparent to FSNA LTCI policyholders as the insurer remains
Sun Life Financial. Also, this change will have no impact on the current LTCI
seminars that are planned for April and May of 2007 - it's business as usual.
Johnson Inc. can be reached toll free by calling:
• 1-800-563-0677 for home and auto insurance
• 1-800-663-9995 for MEDOC emergency travel insurance
• 1-877-582-7526 for long-term care insurance
ON GUARD Summer 2007 Deadlines
Action The deadlines for the summer 2007 branch report information to arrive at the
National Office are: Friday 4 May Membership changes
Friday 11 May Branch Reports
The expected delivery period to members is 11-22 June 2007.
Reports can be sent by E-mail to Françoise Gauthier (gauthier@fsna.com), using the
branch code name (i.e. BC 01) on the message subject line. If you have not received
an acknowledgement reply within two working days, call her or send her another e-
mail.
Faxed copies are not adequate for printing and are no longer accepted.
Francis Bowkett
Executive Director
Attachments: National Office organization chart
Letter to Minister of Public Safety
Convention 07 Communiqué No. 6
DOC: 10957
FSNA National Office
Executive Director
Francis Bowkett
Executive Assistant Special Advisor
Helen Cheng Jean-Guy Soulière
Senior Research & Director Member & Director
Communications Officer Branch Services Corporate Services
Bernard Dussault Bob Brunet Gerry O’Neill
Research &
Communications
Jeff Proulx (TE)
Research & Member & Branch Technology Support Technology Support Manager Accounting/
Communications Officer Communications (Membership) (Corporate) Corporate Services
Charlotte Roy Françoise Gauthier Kevin Armstrong Stephen Grant Paula Gilmore
Research & Membership Clerk Manager Reception/
Communications Officer Dorianne Proulx Branch Services Office Services
vacant Robert Laperrière Carole Armstrong
Membership Clerk Reception/
Francine Demers Office Support/ Office Services
Workload Balancing Kim Sabourin
Notes: (Temp staff)
1. TE: Term Reception/
2. PT: Part time Trish Côté
Gord Weedmark Office Services
3. Office Support/ Workload Balancing: Temporary staff Joan Murch (PT)
hired to deal with peaks in workload, special projects, and
planned staff absences.
4. Technology Support: Although their primary responsibilities
lie in different parts of the organization, the two technology
support staff provide back-up and assistance to each other,
April 2, 2007
as required.
April 11, 2007
Our Ref: 10964
The Honourable Stockwell Day, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety
269 Laurier Ave W., 19th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0P8
Dear Minister:
Subject: Administration of the RCMP superannuation plan
The Federal Superannuates National Association (FSNA) is very concerned about the allegations of former
RCMP personnel concerning tales of corruption, reported by Kathryn May in the March 29 edition of the
Ottawa Citizen, in the administration of the RCMP superannuation plan. Attached is a copy of the article
for your information. In this vein, we are pleased that the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee
held an emergency session on March 29 to elucidate the facts regarding this matter. We are also pleased
that an independent investigator has been appointed to look into the allegations of the mishandling of
RCMP pension funds.
With a membership of more than 155,000, FSNA represents pensioners from the Public Service, the
Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as retired federally appointed judges. One of
its main objectives is to protect the pension and health care-related benefits of pensioners under the
superannuation plans. Over 10,000 RCMP pensioners would be affected by the alleged “misappropriation
or misuse of RCMP pension fund”.
It is therefore hoped that the Public Accounts Committee’s review and follow-up actions will be completed
promptly and that there will be a complete public disclosure of the facts. Pensioners also need to be
reassured as soon as possible that new measures are taken to ensure that RCMP superannuation monies are
used exclusively for their intended purposes.
Could you indicate to me whether such new measures would include an enhancement of Treasury Board’s
oversight of the proper allocation of monies to RCMP authorities for the administration of the RCMP
superannuation plan?
I will be pleased to meet with you at your convenience to discuss the FSNA’s interest in seeing a positive
conclusion in this affair and I hope that you will keep FSNA informed of the developments in this case.
Yours truly,
G. Dennis Jackson
National President
GDJ/hc
Attachment (1)
cc: The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board
Commissioner Beverley A. Busson, RCMP
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance
Convention 07 Communiqué
No. 6 April 20, 2007
Required Election process
Subsequent to discussions at the March 29-30, 2007, National Board of Directors meeting, the
National President is providing the following clarification of the various election processes that may
be required as we approach Convention 07.
The context that must be borne in mind is that until and unless the delegates to Convention 07 vote
to adopt a different governance model, FSNA continues to operate under its current by-laws and
related rules and procedures.
Based on this context, elections for regional directors and deputy regional directors should proceed
this spring as they would in any convention year. This prepares the Association for the situation
where the delegates to Convention 07 do not approve the new governance model and we continue
to operate under our current by-laws, post-convention. In this scenario, these individuals would be
confirmed in office by Convention delegates and would be in office from mid-August 2007 to
Convention 2010. Similarly, elections for the positions of national president and the three national
vice-presidents would be conducted at the convention and the successful candidates would also
serve for three years.
Turning, then, to the scenario where delegates to Convention 07 approve the proposed governance
model and the new by-laws, the NBOD will propose that:
• Delegates approve the extension of the “life” of the current Board to the end of Annual
Congress 2008; and
• Not withstanding the above, that elections for the positions of national president and the three
national vice-presidents be conducted at Convention 07 with the term of office for each of these
positions expiring at the end of Annual Congress 2010.
The need to extend the time in office of the current Board arises because, until the new governance
model and by-laws are approved, the Association has no legal basis for running elections of national
directors and regional service officers.
The rationale for electing the national officers of the Association for the traditional three-year term
again this year is that this will provide for the retention of corporate knowledge through the
changeover process that will occur post-Convention 07 as features of the new governance model are
put in place.
The bottom line: in preparation for Convention 07 we need to run regional elections for regional
directors and deputy regional directors in case the proposed governance model is not approved; and,
at Convention 07 run elections for the positions of national president and the three national vice-
presidents regardless.
Nominations Reminder
Nominations the positions of national president and the three national vice-presidents shall be in
writing and signed by a branch president or accredited delegate. The nominee shall indicate, in
writing, willingness to accept the office and to serve if elected.
Nominations for the four National Executive positions must be sent to the National Office
addressed to: Duncan Dunsmore,
Personal and Confidential,
Chair of the Nominations Committee,
FSNA National Office,
1052 St Laurent Blvd.,
Ottawa ON K1K 3B4.
The profiles of the known candidates will be published in the summer ON GUARD.
Resolutions Committee Update
At their March meeting, NBOD members reviewed all the resolutions proposed for Convention 07
received up to that date and agreed on recommendations to support or not to support each of these
resolutions. The Resolutions Web site is being revised to accurately reflect these decisions and is
expected to be up to date by 22 April.
In addition, the Resolutions Committee is planning to mail to all branches, by the first week in May,
a printed version of the resolutions that will be presented to Convention 07. As you may realize,
this is a large project requiring the co-operation of many volunteers and National Office Staff.
Included with the Resolutions Workbook, will be a questionnaire for an informal survey of branch
views to be returned by May 30th, 2007 with any appropriate comments. Edited comments will be
placed on the Resolutions Web site and branches will be able to exchange emails with colleagues to
discuss the concepts presented. The results of the survey will be distributed to delegates prior to
Convention 07.
In accordance with FSNA By-laws, resolutions being presented to Convention must be distributed
by National Office two months prior to the commencement date of the event. As a consequence,
Convention delegates will only consider resolutions not included in the Resolution Book as
emergency resolutions provided no less than seventy-five percent (75%) of delegates concur with
this consideration.
REGISTRATION
Branches are to advise Trish Côté (cote@fsna.com) of the branch delegate(s) and alternate(s)
names as per by-law 18.1.1 at their earliest opportunity.
18.1.1 An accredited delegate is a member, in good standing, elected by a
branch, normally at a Branch General Meeting, to represent that branch at
a Convention, Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting of the
Association and reported as such by the branch to the National Office.
To complete your registration, visit FSNA's website at www.fsna.com. Click on “Coming Events”,
and then click on the “Other Events” section located on the top of the page. Once on the registration
page, you will have three categories to choose from for registration (National Members, Branch
Delegates or Alternates and Observers).
All payments by cheque must be received no later than July 9, 2007 and credit card payments will
be accepted up to July 16. Should registration payments not be received by the due dates, the
reservation will be cancelled.
In the event a delegate is unable to attend, please call Paula Gilmore at 613-745-2559 ext 225, to
change the registration and reservations to an alternate delegate.
Please note that there will be no refunds on meals after August 1st, 2007.
For on-line registration or hotel accommodation questions, please contact Paula Gilmore
(gilmore@fsna.com) or Trish Cote (cote@fsna.com) at the National Office (613-745-2559).
Deadline for registration
is
May 31, 2007
