WINTER 2015 PRICE: $4.95 Terror and Taxes: The 2015 campaign takes shape PAGE 5 Second Acts: How to retire without slowing down PAGE 10 THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF Istanbul: Crossroads of FEDERAL RETIREES the world PAGE 15 HAPPY HOLIDAYS! From all of us at the National Association of Federal Retirees. PM40065047 HOME INSURANCE AUTO INSURANCE ASSOCIATION It’s going to be an INTERESTING YEAR The end of the year is a time for reflection, a time to plan our way or principles of negotiation. We were faced forward. We have a great deal to reflect upon at the close of 2014, with an ultimatum from Mr. Clement that would have seen the government legislate and 2015 promises new challenges and opportunities. to the lowest common denominator, which would have created further hardship for our Health Care Plan (PSHCP), which began in most vulnerable members. I told you earlier 2013, extended into 2014. It has been the this year that the Association is exploring Association’s most significant advocacy our legal options. That exploration continues action to date. In February 2014, Opposition — and as we learn more, we will keep you Leader Thomas Mulcair presented the informed and engaged. Association’s petition in the House of Commons. The petition was signed by 2015 is a federal election year. As we were thousands of Association members and putting this issue of Sage on the presses, our supporters. Together we asked the the exact timing of the election was still unknown — October 19, 2015 is likely the Gary Oberg Government of Canada to honour the promises made to federal retirees and to latest possible date Canadians can go to immediately stop plans that are detrimental the polls — but pundits of all stripes say to the retirement and health care security of an election could be called for any date This past year was a milestone for the any Canadian. during the year. Early polls indicate we are Association in many ways. Delegates to likely to see a tight race. As 2015 unfolds, Later that month, Association representatives the Annual General Meeting in June passed the Association will mobilize and educate attended a speech by Treasury Board our new by-laws and regulations and we members about the election platforms of all President Tony Clement at the Economic Club established the Association’s new official national parties — particularly where they of Canada. During his speech, Mr. Clement name — the National Association of Federal relate to health care, veterans, pensions and continued to stress his desire to negotiate Retirees. By an overwhelming majority, seniors. We will provide tools and resources with the Partners Committee of the National delegates gave the Association a clear to help you navigate the 2015 federal election Joint Council. During the question period mandate to become actively involved in and be an effective advocate. Watch for more following the speech, I asked Mr. Clement the 2015 federal election while remaining to come in Sage, on our website and in your why he continued to express a willingness to non-partisan. email inbox. talk even as he included the savings booked We also launched our first formal volunteer from the Health Care Plan cost-sharing ratio There is much to look back on from 2014, and recognition program, which gives us the change in the 2014 budget. Mr. Clement much to prepare for in 2015. My fellow board opportunity to acknowledge and honour made it clear that his “preference is a members and I look forward to another year the great work done by our volunteers for bargained solution, but in the absence of that, of service to federal retirees, to continued the Association and their communities. And we have the right to legislate on this issue.” advocacy on your behalf, and to the great later in 2014, we received the certificate services and resources our capable staff will As you now know, Mr. Clement told a media of continuance from Industry Canada that bring us over the coming year. On behalf of conference in March 2014 that he approved permits our Association to continue its work the board, I would like to wish each of you an agreement for the Public Service Health on behalf of federal retirees, their partners the best for the holiday season and for the Care Plan that saw retirees’ cost-sharing in and survivors. coming year. the plan move from 25 to 50 per cent. We’ve had an outstanding yet challenging Though this has been described as a GARY OBERG year in advocacy. The battle to protect President, National Association of negotiated deal, the Association believes that retirees’ cost-sharing in the Public Service Federal Retirees this government did not honour the spirit WINTER 2015 VOL. 4 SAGE I 3 15 25 10 PUBLISHER Rosemary Pitfield Director, Advocacy and Communications EDITOR Doug Beazley CFO 21 John Butterfield 5 EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sayward Montague CREATIVE CONSULTANT CONTENTS Sally Douglas CONTRIBUTORS Tasha Kheiriddin, Elizabeth Thompson, Patrick 3 IT'S GOING TO BE AN 25 KEEPING THE SEASON BRIGHT Imbeau, Elizabeth Gray-Smith, Peter Atkinson, INTERESTING YEAR How do you reconcile precious holiday Sayward Montague, Sue McGarvie, Sylvia Ceacero A message from president Gary Oberg. traditions with the hectic nature of modern GRAPHIC DESIGN life? Be flexible. SAYWARD MONTAGUE Two Blonde Chicks Inc. Design + Marketing Group TERROR, TAXES AND TIMING 5 COVER ART Thanks to a budget surplus and a pair of 28 YOUR HAPPY-EVER-AFTER PLAN Patrick Corrigan terror-linked attacks in Ottawa and Quebec, Want your relationship to survive the long PHOTOGRAPHY the 2015 election narrative is starting to haul? Agree on the big things. SUE MCGARVIE Matthew Usherwood, Patrick Imbeau take shape. TASHA KHEIRIDDIN ASK THE HEALTH OFFICER PRINTING 30 St. Joseph Print Group How can I cover my prescriptions 10 SECOND ACTS Sunrise or sunset? For a lot of Canadians, while travelling? retirement means the beginning of Letters to the Editor or to contact the National Association of Federal Retirees: something brand new. ELIZABETH THOMPSON 31 ASK THE PHARMACIST Here’s to a happier, healthier 2015. 613.745.2559 (toll-free 1.855.304.4700) 15 CROSSROADS OF THE WORLD 1052 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa ON K1K 3B4 Where ancient empires met and clashed, 32 ASK THE PENSION OFFICER [email protected] where old meets new, Europe meets Pension indexing and you. Asia — Istanbul is a feast for the eyes and Sage Magazine is produced under license. Publication # 40065047 heart. PATRICK IMBEAU ASK THE VETERANS OFFICER 33 ISSN 2292-7166 Beating the holiday budget blues. 18 TAKING THE PAIN OUT OF Return undeliverable copies to: TRAVELLING WITH PETS 34 ADVOCACY IN ACTION Sage Magazine, 17 York Street, Suite 201 Make sure your holiday is as much fun for Looking ahead to 2015. Ottawa ON K1N 9J6 your best friend as it is for you. 35 WHO'S WHO AT THE NATIONAL For information on advertising in Sage, please contact: | 20 YOUR GUIDE TO SMARTER GIVING ASSOCIATION OF FEDERAL RETIREES Reid Savein: 416.898.9299 [email protected] Canadians are generous people. But too many of them are missing out on the tax ASSOCIATION NEWS To become a preferred partner of the National 36 Association of Federal Retirees, contact Rosemary benefits of their generosity. Pitfield at 613.745.2559 37 OUR PREFERRED PARTNERS 21 SHOPPING OUTSIDE THE BOX Cover price $4.95 per issue Do the people on your gift list struggle with BRANCH ANNOUNCEMENTS 38 Member subscription is $5.40 per year, overflowing closets? Here’s a holiday guide included in Association membership to buying better. ELIZABETH GRAY-SMITH DEMOCRACY’S WINTER OF DISCONTENT 46 Non-member subscription is $14.80 per year SYLVIA CEACERO Non-members contact National Association SHOPPING THE WORLD ONLINE 24 of Federal Retirees for subscriptions There’s a perfect gift out there. Go get it. PETER ATKINSON 4 I SAGE WINTER 2015 VOL. 4 FEATURE TERROR, TAXES AND TIMING Thanks to a budget surplus and a pair of terror-linked attacks in Ottawa and Quebec, the 2015 election narrative is starting to take shape. TASHA KHEIRIDDIN THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power Marcus Cirillo, son of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, waves a flag out of a car window following the funeral service for his father in Hamilton, Ont., on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. Cpl. Cirillo, 24, a reservist with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, based in Hamilton, was shot dead in Ottawa Wednesday, October 22, 2014 during an attack by an armed gunman at Parliament Hill. WINTER 2015 VOL. 4 SAGE I 5 FEATURE That nip in the air isn’t just the of $50,000, with a cap of $2,000; and an The measures also set up a clear social onset of deep winter — it’s the increase in the annual child care deduction policy debate — particularly on income- from $6,000 to $7,000. splitting. Supporters of the policy — such sharp scent of an upcoming as economist Jack Mintz, the Palmer Chair The measures will cost $3 billion for fiscal in Public Policy at the University of Calgary federal election. Domestic 2014-15 and $4.6 billion per year thereafter. — argue that income-splitting introduces a While income-splitting will take effect in and international events are long-overdue measure of fairness to the tax 2014, the tax deductions will come into shaping the Harper government’s code by taxing household income instead effect next year. Boosted childcare benefits of individual earners within the same family. platform — and the opposition’s will start arriving in Canadians’ mailboxes Opponents of income-splitting, such as the in July 2015 — but the increases will be response to it — around two Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, retroactive to January.