FALL 2015 PRICE: $4.95 The great divide: Divorce and the older couple PAGE 21 Berlin by daylight PAGE 25 Fitness for the long haul PAGE 34 THE ELECTION ISSUE SHATTERED: How the permanent campaign is changing Canadian politics PAGE 8 GROUND GAMES: The five ridings to watch PAGE 12 PM40065047 ASSOCIATION So long, everyone. IT’S BEEN AN HONOUR. I remember it like it was yesterday. have led, supported or implemented on behalf of our members. It was 1996, a full year into my retirement. This is an exciting time for us, but it isn’t My wife and I were invited to a meeting at without challenges. The advocacy work we do our local FSNA branch. Being newcomers to is ongoing, with long-term goals that can, at the area, we were keen to meet new folks times, be difficult to bring into focus. And it’s — and interested in learning more about become increasingly difficult to attract new the Association. volunteers — our greatest strength — to carry The evening proved pleasant and, a few months out the important and rewarding advocacy later, we were invited to another meeting. The work we do. Gary Oberg Sylvia Ceacero branch president told the audience the branch I’ve come to realize that now is the time for needed volunteers with computer experience. a renewal of leadership. I hope the leaders An abrupt jab to my ribs startled me — it was of tomorrow will continue to move the my wife, encouraging me to step up. My first Sylvia Ceacero has resigned from Association forward with fresh ideas, forging instinct was to decline (surely it would cut into her position as CEO of the National this organization into an increasingly relevant, golf time) but, after further elbowing, I agreed to Association of Federal Retirees, powerful voice for federal retirees. at least look into the idea. effective July 31, 2015. Although a year remains in my mandate, That was 18 years ago. Passion and We are thankful for Sylvia's dedication I believe it is time for me to move on. enthusiasm for the Association grew within and outstanding contributions over me, and my belief in our mission and vision It’s been a distinct honour to serve this the past six years to the Association’s flourished as the National Association of membership — a membership that has members, stakeholders, partners, Federal Retirees grew and evolved. more than doubled in size since I joined. volunteers and staff. With her I will cherish my years of service to this determined and tireless efforts, Sylvia Our mission and vision have become more organization, as well as each member on has successfully managed the many inclusive, yet we remain focused on our whose behalf I’ve worked, each friendship that demands of our organization and raison d’être. We’ve recognized the wisdom blossomed with volunteers and members. was instrumental in recruiting an in advocating for retirement security for all excellent senior staff team. Under I owe a huge debt of gratitude to CEO Canadians, along with health care security, Sylvia’s leadership and prudent Sylvia Ceacero and her dedicated staff. veterans’ and seniors’ issues; we all stand fiscal management, the Association These wonderful individuals work tirelessly to win when we work towards making these has experienced an exciting growth on our behalf; without them, we would not areas better. But we have not lost sight of in membership and revenues that SPECIAL RATES be the strong and progressive Association the single most important constant in this bodes very well for the future of we are today. FOR ASSOCIATION MEMBERS Association: our focus on protecting the the organization. pensions and benefits of our members. It is with mixed emotions that I bid farewell to Although Sylvia is moving on to new my director responsibilities with the Association. We’ve adapted to the digital age and challenges, the National Association of It has been a privilege to serve you, and I leave we’re keeping pace with rapidly changing Federal Retirees will continue to benefit with the hope that I may have played a small demographics. Sage magazine, a new from the positive legacy she leaves role in the evolution of our Association during a governance framework, new membership behind. We wish her all the best. cards, the option to pay membership fees time of tremendous change. online and, soon, a new website that will Mrs. Debbie Bernhardt, current Director Sincerely, serve as a retirement portal for our members of Finance and Administration, will be — these are just some of the ambitious and GARY OBERG the acting CEO until a new CEO has successful projects our National Office staff Former President been appointed. National Association of Federal Retirees FALL 2015 VOL. 7 SAGE I 3 ASSOCIATION 17 25 DEAR SAGE Keep those letters and emails coming, folks. Our mailing address is: National Association of Federal Retirees, 1052 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, ON K1K 3B4 PUBLISHER Or you can email us at [email protected] Sayward Montague Manager, Advocacy and Communications 21 EDITOR Doug Beazley CFO Having just read Ron Seabrook’s indignant letter (in our summer Pension Wars John Butterfield issue — ed.), I cannot help but respond. Dear Sage, 8 EDITORIAL COORDINATORS Karen Ruttan and Angela Johnston Who am I? I am a former proud Conservative, who was a delegate Your article in the summer edition of Sage (The Coming War Over CREATIVE CONSULTANT to the PC convention of May 2003 held in Toronto. After attending Retirement) speaks to the issue of pension envy and the federal 12 Sally Douglas this horrible meeting during which the Harper gang hijacked the old government's ambition to have us all doing with less (except CONTRIBUTORS PC party, I could not remain a Conservative. I am now very much in Susan Delacourt, Paul Barber, Elizabeth Thompson, senators and MPs) by forcing pensioners into target benefit plans CONTENTS favour of strategic voting. The strategic vote is a means of getting Alan Freeman, BJ Siekierski, James Munson, Janice rather than the current defined benefit plans they have earned. Dickson, Alice Musabende, Mike Bruce, Sue McGarvie rid of Harper’s disastrous regime. TRANSLATION SERVICES It is the government itself that has been propagating 3 A MESSAGE FROM FORMER 32 ROAD RULES: EVEN SHORT TRIPS Harper Conservatives are destroying Canada, including Canadian PRESIDENT GARY OBERG NEED INSURANCE Annie Bourret and Lynda Bolduc falsehoods such as advising the private sector that these science and Canadian lakes and just about everything that GRAPHIC DESIGN pensions are unsustainable. Two Blonde Chicks Inc. Design + Marketing Group Canadians used to hold dear. Mr. Seabrook didn’t make it clear 5 DEAR SAGE 33 MOVIN’ ON UP Whether it’s to the east side or the west COVER ART whether he is in favour of Canada’s traditional Conservatism or I am amazed that the press has not looked deeply into the facts 8 DIVIDE AND CONQUER side, watch out for some common pitfalls Patrick Corrigan Harper’s disastrous agenda. The traditional Conservatives, as I had and reported same. I believe there is great ignorance out there How the permanent campaign is killing when comparing moving prices. PHOTOGRAPHY been, are likely to despise Harper and all he stands for. No doubt about how federal pensions actually work and when people are the idea of ‘national’ politics — with Matthew Usherwood there are numerous former Conservatives who share my views. told that the federal government actually "stole" some 30 billion dire consequences for how we govern FITNESS FOR THE LONG HAUL 34 PRINTING dollars from my husband's RCMP pension (along with others), ourselves. SUSAN DELACOURT Don’t let the return of cool weather divert St. Joseph Print Group — K. Jean Cottam, PhD you from your fitness goals. MIKE BRUCE they are truly dumbfounded. ELECTION 2015 — WHERE THE 12 Letters to the Editor or to contact the National Perhaps (the National Association of Federal Retirees) should place RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD 35 MONKEY BUSINESS Association of Federal Retirees: Forget the national polls. Here are five When it comes to love and sex, our genes full-page editorials in Canada's newspapers across the country 613.745.2559 (toll-free 1.855.304.4700) Thank you for the excellent article on the subjects of assisted death ridings that bear watching. PAUL BARBER do a lot of the thinking for us. SUE MCGARVIE 1052 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa ON K1K 3B4 putting into perspective exactly what has happened. I believe it and palliative care (‘A Question of Death and Life'). Those with the [email protected] is time to hit Stephen Harper where it hurts. His only ambition is THE POLITICS OF RETIREMENT same opinion might also find the book by Atul Gawande, titled 17 37 ASK THE HEALTH OFFICER to further erode the public service and then tell everyone he has As the population ages, voters worry Health care is a provincial responsibility, Sage Magazine is produced under license. "Being Mortal", worth reading. balanced the budget — unfortunately on the backs of those same more and more about how they'll live in but how can federal government policies Publication # 40065047 ISSN 2292-7166 retirement. We spoke to representatives of affect the health care system and our Keep up the good work. people who serve our country. Shame on him and the rest of his Return undeliverable copies to: the major federal parties to find out how insurance plans? cronies in the Conservative Party of Canada. Sage Magazine, 17 York Street, Suite 201 they plan to tackle the problem. Sincerely, Ottawa ON K1N 9J6 Keep up the good work in protecting those who worked tirelessly 38 ASK THE PENSION OFFICER Baily Seshagiri 21 WELCOME TO SPLITSVILLE For information on advertising in Sage, please contact: for the good of this country only to be tossed to the wind at the The number of couples divorcing later 39 ASK THE VETERANS OFFICER Reid Savein: 416.898.9299 | [email protected] whim of a government obsessed with the bottom line! in life is on the rise.