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Merlo-Davidson revisited

Veterans ombud Nishika Jardine has acknowledged there is progress on this file, which saw at least 10 members of the Merlo-Davidson class-action lawsuit see other benefits clawed back when they received their settlement. Photo: Doug Crawford   It appears that the…

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No easy answers

Sage asked health-care experts if they could wave a magic wand to fix Canada’s health-care system, where they would start. The short answer is there’s no magic wand.  In ancient Greek mythology, Asclepius was a prolific healer as a mortal….

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Your PSHCP questions answered

The phone and email lines at Federal Retirees’ national office have been clogged since the Public Service Health Care Plan changed hands from Sun Life to Canada Life.  Over the past five months, members have contacted the Association with questions,…

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Have technology will travel

Some members of Federal Retirees prefer paper records for their travels, but many wouldn’t consider travelling without help from their phones, tablets and laptops, whether for reading material, electronic records or global-positioning system services.   Jaro Franta is finalizing plans for…

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Alberta’s CPP exit

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has released a report arguing in favour of removing Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan and starting its own Alberta Pension Plan. Photo: Chris Schwartz  In September, the Alberta government presented the report it commissioned on…

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‘A gap between recognition and resolve’

Most Canadians believe humans cause climate change, but their commitment to making effective change is not so certain.  Climate change is simultaneously invisible and yet terrifyingly obvious.  “It’s very abstract,” Erick Lachapelle says. “You can’t really see climate change in…

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‘I work hard and I try to work smart’

As seniors minister, Seamus O’Regan says he will protect pensions, push for pharmacare and advocate for better service from Canada Life in the transition of the Public Service Health Care Plan, to name a few items on his to-do list….

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Engaging MPs in meaningful ways

Colchester-East Hants branch president Mike Devine, right, met with Cumberland-Colchester MP Stephen Ellis when he was in Gatineau, Que., for the annual meeting of members.  When it comes to federal advocacy, members across the country have been busy drawing the…

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A continuing legacy of anguish

Federal Retirees surveyed members on their experiences with the Phoenix pay system. Close to 1,300 responded, nearly half of whom had been overpaid or underpaid.   On Feb. 24, 2016, the first phase of the Phoenix pay system rolled out…

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Solving the primary care crisis

Canada is spending record amounts of money on health care in the post-pandemic landscape, so why are Canadians still facing challenges accessing it?   Canada‘s 2023 federal budget provided an investment to provinces and territories of $198.3 billion, which includes…

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Fighting the flames of climate change

A smoky haze chokes the skyline over Calgary. Unprecedented wildfires have led to high levels of air pollution throughout Alberta and British Columbia.   It is a bleak irony that this series on the effects of climate change has been,…

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Words matter

Cindy Kelly likes to be approached with a “Hi, how are you?” or a “May I help you today?” Call her “dearie” and you‘ll make her cringe. Photo: Réjean Brandt   When entering a store or a coffee shop, Cindy Kelly…

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