PEIRTA

Published with the generous support of Newsletter Retired Teachers’ Association

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 3 FA:LL 2017

From the President I have been tasked by my news- ing forward to another school letter editor to get articles for the year. Remember that first week September newsletter to her by where you dragged your body August 25. Well, nothing excit- home on Friday and collapsed on ing happened so far this summer the nearest chair, sofa or bed with and I see more of the same in the a lemonade or “something” to future. However, the weather and celebrate the first week’s sur- the state of my health have been vival. I really look back on my excellent, so nothing exciting is 35-year career with such good good. I hope this newsletter finds memories. you all in similar good health and I hope the present group of teach- that you thoroughly enjoyed your ers will be able to say the same. summer. Sometimes we think that the pro- wonderful. I remember when the end of July fession is all doom and gloom, brought panic because my holi- but I expect the retirees of our era One momentous occasion this day was half over; on the heels of were saying the same about our summer was my adoption of a that thought, came guilt when I chances of survival. I look at the cat. Oh yeah, I really needed thought of all the people who challenges new teachers face and that!! He is one year old, and his only had 2-4 weeks off. I have to compare them to my beginnings. name is Murphff (spelling very important). He has me pretty well say that by mid-August I was I think I had it pretty darned digging out the books and look- easy!! However, if you talk about trained now and life for him is those old jelly pads we (some of good. My son was in just after us) used to make copies, buying the adoption and said, “I’ll be INSIDE THIS ISSUE your own box of chalk, class size telling everyone that Mom is a Page 2—To/From the Editor; Executive 30 with grades 1-8 and braving crazy cat lady.” As usual when Page 3—From the President (cont’d), RTA the winter snow and winds to go one of my children annoys me I Student Awards; Newcomers; Insurance to the outside privy, these young- pull out the old: “You’re out of Page 4—ACER-CART sters think we’re nuts. Time See President, 3 Page 5—2017 Annual General Meeting moves on and we just try to mud- Page 6—History of PEIRTA dle along with it. Whichever way Visit our website at Page 7—PEITF Corner you cut the cake, retirement is www.peirta.com Page 8—PEI Party Line PAGE 2 PEIRTA NEWSLETTER FALL 2017

From the Editor association and its executive. We live in situation. This would be too late to ef- a time where our defined benefit pen- fect a difference. Our executive deserve You will note our president’s plaintive sion is consistently evaluated. Our ex- our support and our attendance at meet- lament that I asked her to have her arti- ecutive has been very successful in de- ing to ensure that support. So retired cles to me by August 25. In case any- fending our position in this matter and teachers, when our next annual meeting one thought I was being unusually effi- has secured one of the best deals in the comes in November please consider cient, I will tell you that my early dead- country for our retired people. Our attending and lending your support to line was due to two sets of circum- health insurance has been improved and our executive. Really, it is only one day stances: 1)the executive wanted to meet sustained mainly through the efforts of in the year and our hard working and mail the newsletter early, and 2) I our elected executive. executive deserve our unqualified sup- port. was preparing for a trip to Iceland and When we look at all of this we have to Jim MacAulay had to have the newsletter pretty much remember that our executive has to keep finished before I left on Sept. 6. its members educated in all of these (Jim MacAulay is a retired teacher/ Hooray! matters. Executive members have to administrator, a past president of both the Letters to the Editor spend time preparing and defending PEITF and PEIRTA, and current VP of Editor: positions on all matters that relate to our ACER-CART.) For some time I have been thinking retired teachers. Those executive mem- PEIRTA Executive does not necessarily agree with about writing a note to our publication. bers give freely of their time and exper- opinions expressed in material authored by those I have followed the progress of our tise to represent us exceptionally well. other than official representatives of the PEIRTA, and organization over the past number of As individual retired teachers we have a information about opportunities offered by others is for information only—no endorsement is implied. years with great interest and respect. responsibility to support our executive. Our editor has taken our newsletter to When we hold our annual meetings a Next issue mid-February. Submit material to [email protected]. new heights in regard to keeping retired very small percentage of our members teachers informed. Our letter now goes see fit to attend and support the efforts If you wish to read this newsletter online instead of receiving a hard copy, send me an email and I will let to over one thousand individual retired of our elected officials. I am sure that you know when each issue should appear on our site teachers. Our presidents have consis- should we receive a decrease in our pen- and on the PEITF site. tently reported in each edition.. As indi- sions or a drastic cut in our health insur- Letters to the editor should be a maximum of 200 vidual retired teachers we have an obli- ance, numbers would swell immedi- words, must include a one-line bio, and may be edited gation to support the initiatives of our ately—demanding an answer to the for length..

PEIRTA Executive and Officers 2016—2018

President: Joyce McCardle (902-436-6960) [email protected] Vice-President: Cynthia MacDonald (902-566-4680) [email protected] Past President: Sheridyth MacNeill (902-892-4440) [email protected]

Secretary: Ruth Sudsbury (902-436-6664) [email protected] Treasurer: Ronald C. McIntosh (902-687-2996) [email protected] Representatives by County: Prince (English): Leah Harris (902-859-2896) [email protected] Queens (English): Peter Meggs (902-566-1757) [email protected] Kings (English): Emma McQuaid (902-583-2978) [email protected] Francophone: Maria Bernard (902-724-5123) [email protected]

Membership Chair: Pat McCardle (902-892-1915) [email protected] Pension Committee Representative: John Rowe Group Insurance Representative: Kimball Blanchard [email protected] PEIRTA Webmaster: Bill Oehlke [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Marg Stewart [email protected] PAGE 3 PEIRTA NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 Cont’d from 1 PEI Newcomers the will” threat. They all worry Volunteer Tutor about that $200 inheritance. Program We are still waiting to hear about The PEI Association for New- the 90- vs. 30-day drug prescription comers to Canada has created a refills. As late as mid-July there was still no change or end to pharmacy Volunteer Tutor Program to negotiations. Remember we started support low income refugee and meeting in Dec./15? I expect Cyn- President Joyce with Heather Crane, immigrant students. The pilot thia will still be writing about this!! Spirngvale, a Bluefield grad, winner project will support students at of the PEIRTA $1000 scholarship If you are still reading, you will be Birchwood Intermediate and awarded to a student entering the shaking your head and wondering Colonel Gray High School and Bachelor of Education Program. about my sanity and how I can ram- will run in three cycles during ble so endlessly. Would you believe the school year. Tutors have the this is my last newsletter article? flexibility to volunteer for as You will probably be relieved to many, or as few, as their hear that. Where did the two years schedules will allow. EAL go? I have enjoyed my term as your Tutor Training includes an president, but will gladly turn it over online 4-hour course and a to Cynthia, who will be a wonderful president. Thank you for reading classroom session. For more my rambling articles (all 5-10 who details on the program please Katelyn Kennedy-Drake, Brudenell, contact Project Coordinator did). a graduate of Montague High, was Jill Olscamp at [email protected] Remember the AGM is Thursday, this year’s winner of the $500 Nov. 2 at the Jack Blanchard Family PEIRTA Bursary for a student or 902-628-6009, ext 223. Centre; we hope to see you there. graduating from the B.Ed. Program.

Group Insurance Update ~ Kimball Blanchard A the June meeting of Group Insur- $1.55 per month. interruption insurance to our mem- ance Trustees, some relatively minor bers. changes were made to group insurance Health Insurance The rates for basic rates. health insurance for retirees have not There has been a change in the al- been increased this year even though lowable amount for prosthetics. Insurance for Retirees The life insur- active teachers will have a rate in- The previous coverage provided ance programs have been in a deficit crease. Those in the plan will see a $10,000 maximum per lifetime position for the past number of years, very small increase in cost, however, with a benefit paid at 80%, or necessitating an increase in the rates. because the rates for travel insurance $8,000. Coverage now provides a If you are under age 65 the monthly coverage have been slightly increased benefit with no lifetime limit, with rate per thousand of coverage in- due to rising costs in the travel insur- 80% payment of reasonable and creases from $.212 to $.238. If you ance industry. The cost of travel insur- customary costs. have $100,000 in coverage, for exam- ance coverage is included in the basic ple, your monthly premium increases The rates for Dependent Child and rate for your coverage. from $21.20 to $23.80, or by $2.60 Optional Critical Illness coverage per month. If you are over age 65, the The Group Insurance Trustees are were increased by 10% and 15% premium for $15,000 in coverage in- investigating programs which may be respectively, relevant only if you creases from $12.30 to $13.85, or by available to provide trip cancellation/ are enrolled in these options. PAGE 4 PEIRTA NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 ACER-CART AGM 2017 sion plan administrators to On Saturday morning we fin- Cynthia MacDonald, vice- purchase immediate or de- ished up business and had two ferred life annuities for former president, and I attended the An- speakers. The first speaker was nual General Meeting of ACER- members or survivors so as to with the Canadian Health Coali- satisfy an obligation to pro- CART in Ottawa. As usual, there tion. She spoke about three main was a lot of information passed on vide pension benefits if the concerns: 1)Health Accord, 2) obligation arises from a de- to member provinces. It is always National Public Health Care interesting to hear what is going fined benefit provision. (pharmacare), and 3) Paid plasma on in other provinces; one finds I am not going to go into detail clinics. out our problems and challenges about the different kinds of pen- The Health Coalition has several are usually very similar. Some- sion plans—Defined Benefit Plan problems with paid plasma clin- times there are challenges that (our plan), Defined Contribution ics: haven’t reached PEI yet, but it Plan and Target Plan. Unions be-  Safety gives us a heads-up to watch for lieve the Target Plan is the worst in case they find their way to us. plan. New Brunswick was held  Security of supply up as a poor example of what Thursday afternoon we heard two  Trade deals that mean we happened to their plan. The NB speakers who spoke about Bill C- can’t safeguard our Canadian teachers lobbied against it, but 27, which deals with pension supply plans. The first speaker’s back- with no success.  Exploitation of vulner- ground was with auditors; I have At our AGM November 2, James able communities to tell you that when auditors MacAulay, Vice-President of speak, my eyes glaze over. I am ACER-CART, will be talking  Going against Canadian not really up on that level of fi- about this. I advise all who are values without consulting nances. However, the next speaker interested to attend. It will be Canadians was more on my level. Unions held at Jack Blanchard Family The next speaker was from John- and people under Defined Benefit Centre, . son Inc. He showed charts and Plans (DB) are very apprehensive talked about the price of drugs, about this bill. Bill C-27 had its which drugs are the most expen- first reading October 19, 2016. I sive, and how different author- am including a summary of this ized drugs are paid for. Most of bill; you can read more about it by The Friday and Saturday meet- this we already knew from speak- going online. ings were held at the CTF Build- ers we have had over the years. SUMMARY ing, which is a lovely comfort- The meeting wrapped up early at This enactment amends able place to meet. CTF treats us noon and we were like kids let the Pension Benefits Standards as well as our PEITF; they pro- out of school early. After lunch, Act, 1985 to provide a frame- vided a lovely BBQ for lunch on Cynthia went shopping and I work for the establishment, ad- Friday. The usual AGM business took a bus tour of Ottawa. It was ministration and supervision of was conducted and James a good meeting and I know Cyn- target benefit plans. It also MacAulay was re-instated as thia will represent us well at the amends the Act to permit pen- Vice-President. next AGM. PAGE 5 PEIRTA NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 Order of PEI 2017 Annual General Meeting The 2017 recipients of the pres- Thursday, November 2 tigious Order of PEI were an- nounced recently. Congratula- Jack Blanchard Family Centre tions to Jim MacAulay, past pre- Pond Street, Charlottetown sent of this organization and cur- Registration: 9 AM; Meeting: 10 AM rent vice-president of ACER- Lunch and Meeting: $20; Meeting Only: $5 CART. As members of the PEIRTA we are very aware of your commitment and your vi- Guest Speaker: Carla MacDonald-Campbell sion as applied to this and many other organizations. The recogni- Seniors Drug Plan, Generic Drugs, Catastrophic Drugs tion is well deserved. Resolutions for Consideration at Annual Meeting Change of Address: WHEREAS, University costs are WHEREAS, College costs are Pension & Benefits escalating; going up; Pensions & Benefits asks that BE IT RESOLVED, that the BE IT RESOLVED, that the you keep your mailing address up-to- PEIRTA award a second $500 date. PEIRTA award a second $500 bursary to a UPEI student graduat- bursary to a Stu- Each year, the Pensions & Bene- ing from the Bachelor of Educa- dent enrolled in the second year fits office distributes pay advice tion program. slips, T4A's and newsletters directly of the Early Childhood Care and to pensioners of the Teachers' Super- Criteria: One award will be Education Program. annuation Fund (TSF). To ensure granted annually to a student Criteria: Any student enrolled in that pensioners don't miss any mail- graduating from the B.Ed. pro- the second year of the Early ings, and to receive TSF related mail gram who, in the opinion of the Childhood Care and Education in a timely manner, please remember faculty, demonstrates a high de- to keep your mailing address up-to- Program at Holland College is gree of competence and ability in date with Pensions & Bene- eligible to apply. The applicant fits. Please contact the Pensions & preparing and presenting learning must have attended a PEI high Benefits office by phone at (902) 368 materials to students in a class- school and demonstrate financial -4200 or by e-mail at [email protected] room setting. The recipient must need. to provide updated information and have attended a PEI high school be prepared to provide your name in his/her secondary education and date of birth to confirm your years. identity.

Group Insurance Booklet Johnson Inc. Please note that you can find the details of our group (Across from Charlottetown Mall, in Shoppers Drug parking lot) health plan online at www.peitf.com. Go to the site, 201 Buchanan Drive, Charlottetown, PE C1E 2E4 scroll down on the opening page, and click on Group Phone (902) 892-0108 or Toll Free 1-866-288-2217 Insurance Booklet. PAGE 6 PEIRTA NEWSLETTER FALL 2017

contributions from PEITF have 1999-2001 Executive History of the PEI RTA been cut from $2,000 to $1,000. Past President ?? President: Blanche Howlett Editor’s note~ Joyce McCardle has over a  At the AGM on Sept. 27, Vice-President: Donald MacKenzie ?? period of time compiled a lot of informa- Secretary: Emma McQuaid tion about the RTA in PEI. Much of the 1995, the following resolution was omitted from the previous Treasurer: Frank Creighton information has been taken from minutes of Members-at Large ?? meetings. This history will be published in minutes: “That dues be deducted from pension cheques automati- this and subsequent issues, in segments, as cally from the November cheque A new slate of officers from Queens space allows. Thanks, Joyce. unless otherwise instructed”. Car- County was installed for 2001-2003. ried. 1993-2003 2001-2003 Executive At the AGM a new slate of officers Past President: Blanche Howlett At the 1993 AGM a new slate of offi- from Queens County was installed for President: Ann Kelly cers from Kings County was installed. 1995-1997. Vice-President: ??

Secretary: Eldon Rogerson 1993-1995 Executive 1995-1997 Executive Treasurer: Isabel Beaton Past President: Mabel McLellan Past President: Helen Robbins Members-at Large: President: Helen Robbins President: Mary McIsaac (Queens) Helene Garg Vice-President: Alena Buchanan Vice-President: Adelbert Roche Secretary: Claire Murphy Secretary: Cecelia MacLeod The PEITF President was Marg Stew- Treasurer: Annie Gillis Treasurer: Ethel Keenan art. Ministers of Education were Jeff Members-at-Large: Members-at Large: Lantz and Chester Gillan. (Prince) Helen Turner (Prince) Ruby Cousins (Queens) Evelyn Clow (Queens) Christine Burdett At the Oct. 9, 2003, AGM President (Kings) Blanche Howlett (Kings) Blanche Howlett Ann Kelly outlined two major tasks

for the next year: The PEITF Presidents were Leo The PEITF President was Joyce 1) to seek ways for RTA to be Broderick (1993-1995) and Joyce McCardle. Minister of Education was mandated McCardle (1995). Ministers of Educa- Gordon MacInnis/96. 2) to explore ways to help retired tion were Keith Milligan (1994) and teachers with health and medical Gordon MacInnis (1995). fees.  At the AGM on Oct. 4, 1996, members were advised that dues It was moved that the new executive  At the AGM on Sept. 21, would be deducted in January investigate the scholarship funding 1994 Ron Rice spoke on the pen- instead of November from now and report back at the next AGM. sion plan. on. A new slate of officers from Prince —Started in 1931 with a contri-  It was moved and seconded that in future the scholarship and County was installed. bution of 2.5%, which equalled Seeking Input about $18.50 a year. bursaries would be awarded to There has been a suggestion that the Island students. — In 1956 the contribution was PEIRTA should host/organize a increased to 5%, or $116.50 per A new slate of officers from Prince tournament for retired teachers (and year. This led to many retired County was installed for 1997-1999. presumably spouses/partners). If you

teachers withdrawing more have an interest in this, please let than they contributed. It took 1997-1999 Executive Joyce or your county rep know. Addi- only 15 months from retirement Past President: Mary McIsaac to overdraw contributions. tionally, if you have suggestions as to I have no information on other execu- when and where, feel free to provide —The numbers of retired teachers tive members. input. And if you would be willing to

is greater now. help organize, even better! The PEITF President was Ralph Grant.  Ralph Stonefield reported the

pension unfunded liability is now A new slate of officers from Kings $350 million. County was installed for 1999-2001.

 The president reported that PAGE 7 PEIRTA NEWSLETTER FALL 2017

Bethany MacLeod Once again summer has flown by! I In July, I was elected as Vice- law degree at McGill University. Most am hoping you all had a chance to President of the Canadian Teachers' recently, Selina served as a labour relax and enjoy our beautiful Island Federation during CTF's 2017 Annual relations lawyer and consultant with with family and friends, and in the General Meeting held in Ottawa, On- HR Atlantic and MacLeod Montigny process made some lasting memories. tario. As Vice-President I will serve and MacLean. Selina also has exten- There have been a few changes over on the Executive for the organization sive experience in dealing with work- the past few months, and we have and deal with key issues and resolu- place investigations, arbitrations and been busy as well. As most are aware, tions that have an impact on public collective bargaining. We are pleased Michel Plamondon officially retired at education, students and teachers na- to have her join the professional staff the end of August, after 47 years in tionally. I am honoured to serve as of the Federation. Vice-President of the Canadian the education field. He was a part of Thank you for your continued support Teachers’ Federation, and I look for- the first UPEI graduating class, he and encouragement. I am looking for- ward to working with my colleagues taught at Charlottetown Rural, became ward to another successful school year from across the country on issues and President of PEITF and then finished as we hit the ground running! his years of service as Executive As- challenges facing the public education

sistant at PEITF. He has taught me system. more than I ever wanted to know I would also about pension and group insurance! like to extend Michel will be truly missed. He is a warm wel- excellent at what he does and it is evi- come to dent that he really enjoys his work. Selina Pel- Michel is kind and caring, and he has lerin, Execu- always demonstrated compassion and tive Assistant respect in communication with mem- of Economic bers. We wish him all the best in his Welfare and retirement. Member Ser- We hosted CONTACT 2017 this sum- vices. Selina mer at UPEI, which provided an op- comes to the portunity for teachers across Atlantic Federation Canada to come together to share with a back- ideas, reflect on experiences and cele- ground in brate all that is best about teaching. law having earned her

Address Changes If your address changes, or if you know anyone who has had a change of address and/or is not receiving this newsletter, please have him or her notify our membership chair (contact info on page 2). PAGE 8 PEIRTA NEWSLETTER FALL 2017

A New Twist on the How does it work? PEITF Travel Insurance: Party Line ~ Catherine Freeze, Update on Pre-Existing Medical 1. On Wednesdays at 10:00 AM Seniors Policy Advisor, Dept of Family Conditions and Human Services call toll-free 1-866-279-1594 and enter the program code 777920#. Our out-of-province travel insurance Do you remember the party line? plan has a 90-day medical stability 2. Or we can call you a few min- Party lines were a popular telephone clause. This means that if you have a utes before the program begins system that served several customers. pre-existing medical condition, it and join you into the program. For those of us who lived in rural must be considered medically stable Just call 1-866-770-0588 and areas it was one our first experiences for 90 days prior to your departure provide your telephone number. with a telephone at home and it came date if you are to be covered in the with some memorable quirks, includ- 3. For a calendar of upcoming event of a medical emergency related ing the special ring tone for the house programs, call 1-866-770-0588. to this condition while you are travel- and the sound of a neighbour acci- Why are we doing this program? ling. dentally picking up the telephone A pre-existing condition is considered during a conversation. Those days Earlier this year the PEI Seniors’ Se- stable if the member, in the 90 days may be in the past but we would like cretariat talked with people in the before the departure date, has not to introduce a new PEI Party Line— community who encouraged us to a free service offering practical infor- investigate different ways of offering 1. Been treated or evaluated for new mation over the telephone. information. As we looked across symptoms or related conditions; North America we found that other Who’s on the line? 2. Had symptoms that increased in areas were offering telephone pro- frequency or severity, or examination Over the past few months the PEI grams similar to the Party Line that findings indicate the condition has Party Line has lined up a fascinating were very successful. worsened; mix of interesting guest speakers on a Islanders also told us that there are range of topics. Here’s a sample: 3. Been prescribed a new treatment or sometimes challenges to getting out change in treatment for the condition; Overcoming Sleep and Fatigue, and meeting new people—especially with PEI Arthritis Society during the cooler months when 4. Been admitted to a hospital for the shorter daylight hours and the condition; or Understanding Dementia, pre- weather can be a big challenge. You sented by the Alzheimer Society 5. Been awaiting new treatments or may also have found that your health tests regarding the medical condition Celebrating National Book Lov- or the health of someone you love has (does not include routine tests). ers Day changed and that you need to stay closer to home. Learning new things Number 3 generally does not include Travelogue: Adventures in and having a chance to talk about reductions in medication due to im- Thailand provement in a condition, or regular interesting topics can help to keep a changes in medication as part of an Weather Facts and Trivia, with person active, engaged and ultimately established treatment plan—but each UPEI’s Climate Lab feeling more case must be reviewed individually. A positive. Acadian Winter Celebrations, change shortly before departure, for with Georges Arsenault So take this example, with a subsequent reaction, invitation to Men’s Sheds, with Men’s Sheds might present problems. So if you try some- Canada have any doubt, call Medavie Blue thing new/ Cross at 1-800-667-4511, Travel De- Welcoming our Island Amish old again partment, for clarification if you are Neighbours and join the planning to travel outside PEI. And much more! PEI Party Line!