Issue 44 – 25, March 30, 2025
Manitoba's NDP Government Takes a Bold Step Forward with the Creation of a Senior's Advocate
In a significant development for the Seniors population in Manitoba, the provincial government, led by the New Democratic Party (NDP), has announced the establishment of the Office of the Seniors Advocate (OSA). This long-anticipated initiative was a key pillar of the NDP's campaign promises during the 2023 election, showcasing a commitment to address the needs and challenges faced by seniors in the province.
The creation of the Seniors Advocate's office signifies a commitment to elevating the voices of seniors within the governmental framework. The robust mandate for the office, which aims to monitor and analyze seniors’ services and issues across five fundamental areas: health care, housing, income supports, community supports, and transportation.
One of the primary objectives of the Office is to improve the overall quality of care for seniors in Manitoba. The advocate should focus on increasing the number of Personal Care Home beds, ensuring that more seniors receive the essential services they need. Moreover, there will be a concentrated effort to enhance direct hours of care, addressing a significant gap in the current system that many families face when caring for their loved ones.
The advocate will be mandated to publicly report and make recommendations to the legislature on a wide array of government services. These recommendations aim to foster meaningful changes across critical areas such as health care, housing, and various government programs designed to support seniors.
However, while the office represents a significant step toward addressing systemic issues, it cannot tackle all challenges faced by the elderly population. Problems such as social isolation and mental health issues among seniors require a broader societal response beyond what the legislative framework can provide. The need for community engagement and a cultural shift towards greater respect and understanding of the elderly is paramount as we navigate a world that can, at times, neglect our needs.
Despite the optimism surrounding the establishment of the OSA, the path forward has not been without challenges. The Minister had intended to present a bill in March 2024 to officially set up the advocate's office, but procedural maneuvers by the opposition Conservatives have stalled progress, raising concerns about the timeline for implementation.
The call for a Seniors Advocate resonates not only with those directly impacted but also with all those who believe in a society that values its Seniors. The well-being of our seniors is not just a political promise; it is a moral imperative for a just and compassionate society.
The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada wholeheartedly supports the establishment of the Office of the Seniors Advocate in each Province and stands in solidarity with all efforts to advocate for the well-being of seniors.
Read More - Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Manitoba Government Will Proclaim Seniors Advocate Act
Conservatives reveal true colours first week of Election 2025
Asking the American president, Donald Trump, to put off imposing tariffs with the goal of affecting the outcome of a Canadian federal election constitutes inviting foreign interference in Canada’s election.
Danielle Smith has validated the concern of voters that Poilievre’s greatest weakness is he can’t be trusted to stand up to Donald Trump. That is how the 2025 federal election began, an excerpt from Danielle Smith’s interview with Breitbart News started on social media, then on mainstream media.
She bragged to the American audience, “I would say, on balance, the perspective that Pierre Poilievre would bring would be very much in sync with, I think… the new direction in America.
The week ended with the Alberta taxpayer funding a trip to Florida for Danielle to appear at a fundraiser for the Trumpian “PragerU.” Smith joined podcaster Ben Shapiro, the organization describes itself as “the world’s leading conservative non-profit, focused on changing minds through the creative use of digital media.” The event tickets started at US$1,500 for the gala, and the Alberta taxpayer helped the organization raise over a million dollars.
The Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, sat on a stage in Florida and discussed strategies to elect leaders who would be “solid allies” to Donald Trump. Let that sink in!
CURC 15th Constitutional Convention
The Fifteenth Convention of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada will take place at the Pan Pacific Toronto, 900 York Mills Rd, Toronto, the convention will be on June 17th, to June 19, 2025.
The convention agenda is shaping up providing excellent speakers and encouraging debates on the “Way Forward for Union Retirees”. A Review Committee, has been meeting for almost a year, will produce a major report to the convention on how the union retiree movement will respond to the challenges moving forward.
The Committee members are, Sandra Snider- OPSEU/NUPGE, Lena Sutton - SOAR/USW, Doug Sanders - UNIFOR Retirees, Marg Bourgoin – SEIU Retirees, Eddie Ste. Marie – Machinist, Bill Nicholls – IUPAT, Malcolm Buchanan – ARM/OSSTF, Louisette Hinton – UFCW, Lyle Hargrove – UNIFOR Retirees, Judy Lederer – AUFA, David Kidd – CUPE Retirees Network.
Be a delegate, be part of the building the union retiree movement.
For more information about the convention please email curc@clcctc.ca .
NOTE: resolutions MUST be received at the CURC office by April 1st, 2025. We encourage you to email the resolutions to curc@clcctc.ca with the subject line clearly marked CURC Resolution.