fund.
This can be split between the pensioner and spouse. Combined with CPP/QPP 19%,
which has been splittable for many years, means 53% of income in this situation
can be divided between spouses for income tax purposes.
Allstream Pensioners’ Association
Newsletter
Toronto, Ontario ________ Volume 16, No.1_____________June 2007
Please be advised there are a number of golf tournaments over the summer. Check your region in this newsletter to determine if there is a golf tournament in your area. Ontario invites Golfing members from other regions, see “Ontario Golf” on page 4.
Annual General Meeting
Arrangements for the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Allstream Pensioners' Association are as follows:
Time: 12:00 Noon Draft Agenda
Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 1.0 -Call to Order
Location: Naval Club of Toronto 2.0 -Approval of Draft Agenda
14 Hayden Street, Toronto 3.0 - Minutes of 2006 Meeting
4.0 -Presentation of Reports
The principal item of business at this meeting will be 4.1 - President's Report
the election of six Directors to serve on the Board for 4.2 - Membership Report
the next two years. Five of the six Directors who were 4.3 - Auditor's Report
elected for two-year terms at the last AGM (Bob Clarke, 5.0 -Election of Directors
Len Ferguson, Norm Hobbs, John Thomas, Norm 6.0 -Appointment of Auditor
Czepiela will continue in office for the coming year. , 7.0 -Other Business
Unfortunately, Ed Hughes, the sixth director, resigned 8.0 -Adjournment
for personal reasons at mid term, creating an additional vacancy. 9.0 -Luncheon and Social Hour
Directors whose terms of office expire this year are: Wayne Boyle,
Vic Johnson, Andy Kruk, Jacques Rochefort.
Wayne Boyle, Vic Johnson, Andy Kruk, Jacques Rochefort and Earl Kettle have indicated they will stand for office in the coming term.
Regular members of the Association have the right to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting.
If you do not plan to attend this meeting you may nominate another person to vote on your behalf.
Directors and Officers of the Corporation will be in attendance at the meeting. Members may assign their voting rights to one of the persons listed on the attached Form of Proxy OR to another person by indicating one of the persons listed or entering the name of another person in the space provided and returning the form to the Association in the enclosed envelope.
Non Members are invited to attend this meeting. Non members attending would not be able to vote, of course, but we believe you would find the meeting informative, most enjoyable, and we would be very pleased to see you. This would be an opportunity to socialize with many of your former co-workers, and get a first hand view of what the Association is all about.
Note – If you are attending the meeting and upon arrival at the Naval Club find the door is locked, please ring the doorbell, the pushbutton is located on the door frame at the Naval Club entrance.
Please Note the Following Changes
Len Ferguson’s email address is now lenferg@rogers.com. Len’s old email account lenferg@allstream.net will remain open for a short transitional period following publication of the this newsletter.
Email address for Maritime Regional Chairman Richard Golding is now richard.golding@rogers.com Please note the period between richard and golding..
President’s Message
That was a long winter, started late and hung in there forever. I hope you all got through it without too many potholes in your life.
I am pleased to be able to tell you that the Company, MTS/Allstream, also came through the year in good shape. The Stock price of the parent, MTS, is again on the rise from a low of $41.76 in the last 52 weeks to $49.75 on Saturday May 12, 2007. These figures compare favourably to others in the telecommunications field, such as Bell and Telus.
Allstream itself has expansion plans for fibre in Newfoundland.
So the guy who writes our cheques seems to be on much better financial ground than in recent years.
The Association is also financially sound but where we are lacking is in the area of bodies to help us represent you properly. Our treasurer has been telling us for some years now that he wishes to take a break, and we need an Ontario representative badly. If you are interested in joining our team please contact any one of the directors or better yet come to the Annual General Meeting in June and introduce yourself. Come anyway we would like to see you and share a few memories.
Pension Report
Solvency Ratio. Every pensioner is interested in that particular figure. A brief explanation.
The Solvency Ratio is the amount of money actually in a pension fund as opposed to the amount of money required to pay 100% pensions should the fund be terminated. There is no danger of the latter occurrence in Allstream Pension funds. We have been assured that MTS/Allstream is healthy as the above message shows. The Solvency Ratio has much more significance when, as in recent years, the company was in bankruptcy protection. So to repeat, there is no danger of our funds being terminated.
That is the good news! Now for the better news! I am pleased to report that the Allstream Contributory Pension Fund is now in a position of 101% solvency. This is due mainly to a better than market return on investments (90 basis points above TSE) and in a lesser part to a change in eligibility rules resulting in a lower liability to the fund. The news for the Non-contributory fund is not quite as good but the Solvency Ratio there has increased from 94% to 95% from investment income. The eligibility rule changes do not apply to that fund.
What this means to us immediately is that the Company representatives on the Pension Committee will take back to the Board our long-standing request for an ad-hoc cost of living adjustment for those not covered by the Union contract.
MTS administers three separate and distinct pension funds. Those are: MTS Employees Pension, Allstream Contributory Pension and Allstream Non-contributory Pension. The monies in each fund and the rules governing the pensions are inherent to that particular fund. However MTS will, in the third quarter of 2007, pool the resources of the three funds to achieve an economy of scale in the investment side. This will give more flexibility and reduce fees paid to management of three separate funds. At the same time while maintaining the mix of 60% equities and 40% bonds, 5% of equities will be placed in Real Estate and 5% of the bond section will be placed in Mortgages. The Real Estate and Mortgage portfolios will be managed by Great West Life and provide a hedge against market and interest rate fluctuations.
And lastly, the Annual report to members, initiated in 2005, should be sent out in June. It is presently in translation. Since this is the second such report the Company is interested in your feedback. You may send your comments either to myself or to the Allstream address on the back of the report.
Norm Hobbs
Health and Dental Benefits Report
No surprises here. As a group the frequency and amount of our claims is consistent with other groups. Not surprisingly drug claims of our senior group are higher than the active employee group (89.9% as opposed to 74.8%) but they have higher claims on work related illnesses, particularly in the area of stress. I was surprised to learn that, according to the World Health Organization 5 of the 10 leading causes of disability are related to mental disorders. And of Canadian adults 30 years of age and older, 43% feel overwhelmed by their jobs. It looks like we are fortunate to have retired already. Of course the question on all our minds is “will there by an increase in premiums this year?” Unfortunately the review of rates had not been completed at the time of the meeting, but I have been told the result will be available before our June AGM meeting and quote, “it is looking good”. Although it was not stated good for whom. I don’t believe the statement would have been made unless it was good for us .
For those who are interested, Great West Life has a website that gives information on healthy life style, prescription drugs, ailments and diseases and many other life related matters. The address is:
http://gwl.mediresource.com/e/index.asp?ID=2133
Norm Hobbs
Regions
Maritime
The Atlantic area survived another winter with perhaps Newfoundland and Labrador receiving more attention from the weatherman than the rest of us. I hope, accompanied by other members in the region, to get around the area for lunch meetings in the upcoming year on a semi annual basis.
The first of these meetings in the Atlantic Region will be a luncheon meeting for October 2, 2007 in Truro. Those interested please reply to Richard Golding. This will be an opportunity for more pensioners to meet and talk to get reacquainted. I would like to see as many as possible reply so facilities and car pools can be arranged.
Richard Golding
18 Baffin Dr. Moncton NB E1A 5P1
(506) 383 5734 or email richard.golding@rogers.com
Quebec
Golf tournament to be held at Mountain Acres, in the Mont Tremblant Region, on Tuesday June 5, 2007.
You will receive this notification quite close to the date of the tournament and are probably aware of all the details.
In the event that you did not know about the tournament until now, and are interested in attending, please contact Lucien Fortin or Serge Giroux (listed below) for information, and possibly they may be able to squeeze you in.
Lucien Fortin: Telephone 450 686 8280
Internet: fortin.lucien@videotron.ca
Serge Giroux: Telephone 450 235 5449
Internet: giroux.5@videotron.ca
Three golfing packages are offered this year:
Package 1: $60 (Golf with cart and dinner)
Package 2: $60 (Dinner with hotel room and breakfast)
Package 3 $90 (Golf with cart, dinner, hotel room, breakfast)
Hotel Packages are based on 2 persons per room.
Above pricing information may be helpful background in your long range planning for next year. Rates may not be exactly the same as this year, but are not expected to vary greatly.
Schedule for the remaining 2007 year:
Breakfast
Wednesday, Sept. 19th. Luncheon 12:00 Noon
Vichy Restaurant
7205 Newman Blvd.
Ville Lasalle, Quebec.
Christmas Dinner:
Wednesday Dec 19th. 12:00 Noon.
Restaurant Stanza,
1760 Blvd. Des Laurentides,
Laval, Quebec.
QUEBEC REGIONAL MEETING;
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10TH,/2007 2 PM :
WILL BE HELD AT 3050 ROSEMOUNT BLVD., MONTREAL
Ottawa
Ottawa retirees met for lunch at Robbies March 29th and shared their winter stories and their hopes for spring. The next luncheon will be held at Robbies June 28th 12 noon hope to see a large number attend. There will be a Golf day in the Ottawa area, September 22nd 2007, for Allstream employees and Retirees. We hope many will participate. Details are not known at this time. For further information contact either:
Norm Czepiela, telephone 819 428 4202 or email nczepiela@sympatico.ca
Harry de Ruiter, telephone 613 688 8772 or email harry.deruiter@allstream.com
Ontario
Time has reduced our numbers more than we care to think about. Attendance at the last AGM was noticeably smaller than we have become accustomed to. Some of the loss is due to natural attrition, but obvious is the fact that some of our members who are available, and have been regular attendees in the past, were not with us.
If you live within a reasonable distance of 14 Hayden Street Toronto, please accept this as a special invitation to attend the next AGM on Wednesday June 13, 2007. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend a few hours with your old co-worker friends, renew acquaintances, and catch up on the latest news. Your presence is requested and we look forward to seeing you. – Editor.
Ontario Golf
Don’t forget the Allstream Pensioners Golf Tournament on June 14th at Centennial Park Golf Course in Etobicoke. Tee times: we hope to get the first foursome off between 0945h and 1000h. GOOD NEWS #1. MTS ALLSTREAM has agreed to sponsor the GTA area tournament PRIZES for another (this ) year. Size does matter , so it should be Bigger and Better than ever with a host of good prizes. This is one of the few Social events of the year in Ontario Region, so set that date aside. If you don’t golf why not come for lunch at mid afternoon on the 14tht at THE WILD GOOSE BAR AND GRILL at 5395 Eglinton West (at Renforth). It is always pleasant to see friends and you will be welcome. The food and beverage menus are elaborate yet very affordable.
Golfing fees are $30.00 per person. Golfers are urged to make up foursomes, agree on a team captain who will collect and remit fees and advise any one of the 3-man committee that you are coming. Also indicate if carts are required and we’ll reserve a block of carts and hope we can accommodate all requirements. Reserve early to make sure you get a cart. The cost for carts this year is $26. Again please RESERVE EARLY as only 20 CARTS ARE AVAILABLE. . If you don’t have a foursome come and we will be pleased to team you up with others. Contact J.A. Rochefort, Residence 905 934 0594, Cell 905 988 2218, email jacrochefort @sympatico.ca Bern Scanlan 416 752 1048, Cell 416 524 1148, email jbscanlan@sympatico.ca or Doug South 416 751 3001, email dls@pathcom.com. ( PLEASE NOTE: at the time of writing this, our good friend Bernie Scanlan is fighting very hard against diabetes as well as dealing with the sale of his home and moving into an autonomous residence for the young at heart. His spirit is indomitable and he INSISTS on taking your
reservation calls, and HE THREATENS HE WILL CALL YOU WITH ONE OF HIS JOKES UNLESS YOU CALL HIM FIRST WITH YOUR RESERVATION. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what our TEAM members are all about!!!!
If you have any ideas and/or suggestions to make the day more interesting and more fun please advise the committee. This is YOUR tournament and we will do our best to see that you enjoy it. A first this year: At the Wild Goose “ do” will be our contest search for the # 1 female and # 1 male MTS ALLSTREAM GOLFER IDOLS. RELAX, it will not be based on your golfing abilities ! The contest is simple: we will allow the first three female and male volunteers with a GOOD GOLF JOKE to perform for NO MORE THAN THREE MINUTES per joke, per jokester. Your spiel has to be about golf and or golfers, and the source can be from the internet,a book or magazine but be advised that GENTLE heckling will be allowed and razzing is bound to occur if your tale is longer than 3 minutes. One prize for ladies and One for men—and you guessed it, they will be prime VQA samples from Niagara Region’s best vineyards
(where this lowly writer loves to toil)….
PICTURES. Don’t you think it’s a bit of a lark to look at pics from previous tournaments or other activities, recent or of years gone by and reminisce a bit, EVEN ABOUT WORK? I know it’s spring cleaning time and you just found this old snapshot of yesteryear….wait ! DO NOT THROW it away or put it where it will be lost again… Put it in your golf bag and bring it in on June 14th and pass it around…Maybe you will be tempted to donate it (or a copy) to our Web site…And don’t forget to smile on the course or at the Wild Goose as we hear that we will have a super photographer prowling about taking DOZENS of shots (pics or pix, that is).
You have an extra putter, you say??? Bring it in and we will start a golf equipment SWAP FAIR at the parking lot….I’ll have at LEAST SIX (6) PUTTERS, all with reasonably straight shafts in my car trunk. What else do you need? A driver or two? A couple of good fairway woods? Dozens of logo balls for that collection of yours? HEY, let’s DO SOMETHING different and have a bit of fun doing it…
GOLFERS FROM OTHER REGIONS WILL BE WELCOMED.
Here are the detailed directions to Centennial Park Golf Course in Etobicoke.From 401-Take 427 South to Burnamthorpe, then west on Burnamthorpe to Mill Rd, north on Mill Rd to Centennial Park Golf Course... From the East Take Eglinton Ave West past Renforth Rd to Centennial Park Blvd, then turn left (south) on Centennial Park Blvd, then you'll see the parking lot and Golf Course on your right... From the West...Take Eglinton Ave Eastbound from Dixie Rd to Centennial Park Blvd, turn right and the Golf Course is right there on your right....Address is 550 Centennial Pk Blvd, Etobicoke ON... Phone 416.620.1392.........
Directions from the Golf Course to the Wild Goose Bar and Grill - As you exit the Centennial Park Golf Club Parking Lot turn left (North). Go north 1 long block to Eglinton, turn right (East) on Eglinton. Go several blocks east to 5395 Eglinton West, and you're at the Wild Goose Bar and Grill. If you miss it and get to Renforth, you've gone a bit too far east. Come back or we’ll miss you! Good Luck and see you in June!!
MORE GOLFING GOOD NEWS.
The MTS ALLSTREAM EMPLOYEES GOLF TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH , 2007 AT THE CARDINAL GOLF COURSE. AS IN PAST FEW YEARS. ALL OUR ASSOCIATION RETIREES ARE WELCOME TO PLAY AND DINNER. PRECISE COST DETAILS WILL BE KNOWN BY JUNE 14TH AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT OUR TOURNAMENT. AS WELL AS ON OUR ASSOCIATION WEB SITE. WE HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT MTS ALLSTREAM HAS AGAIN GENEROUSLY OFFERED AN IMPRESSIVE DISCOUNT FOR SENIOR RETIREES AND WE URGE YOU TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS TOURNAMENT. IF MEMORY SERVES, THIS WILL BE THE FIFTIETH CONSECUTIVE TOURNAMENT. A THANKFUL TIP OF OUR GOLFING HAT TO KEN BIRT WHO I UNDERSTAND STILL HAS KEEN APPRECIATION FOR THE GAME.
Our respects also to all the other founders, organizers and participants whose loyalty to the game and the tournament was an expression of their commitments to their companies and their craft. What is worthy will last! FORE!!!
--30--
Prairie
The Prairie Region Allstream Pensioner's Association will be holding their annual golf tournament on August 16th at the Cottonwood Golf and Country Club. The cost this year is $50.00 per person and includes golf, power cart rental, steak dinner, dessert, coffee, prizes and a post game refreshment. Non golfers are welcome to come for dinner only at a cost of $20.00 Everyone is welcome and we would especially like to see some of our out of town members. So come on out and enjoy the day, renew old friendships and maybe play some golf too.
To register please contact Robin Cowan at 832-2629 by phone or by e-mail at rcowan11@shaw.ca. You can also contact Fred Perchaluk at 224-2958 or 1-888-977-1777 for out of town members, or by e-mail at fperch@mts.net.
Members are reminded that our luncheon meetings are held at noon on the third Wednesday of each month except for July and August at the Viscount Gort Hotel. For our June meeting we have arranged for an Certified Professional Accountant to join us and answer any questions you may have about pension income splitting or anything else that may pertain to income tax, or any financial matters."
Alberta
Given some of the past queries, it may be of interest and/or benefit to the pensioners in Alberta to be privy to some of the following that relate to seniors:
(1) – Important Phone Number: 1-800-642-3853
(2) – Alberta Seniors Benefit Program:
This is a program based on income and provides a monthly cash benefit to eligible seniors. It uses line 150 of the tax return (or the equivalent for non-filers) and then deducts a number of income sources (such as Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and others) to derive a non-deductible income that is used to calculate the Alberta Seniors Benefit. In general, single seniors with an income of $21,700 or less, and senior couples with a combined income of $34,900 or less, are eligible for a cash benefit. These income level figures are guideline figures only. For a more detailed explanation, please call the number listed above in (1).
(3) – Special Needs Assistance for Seniors:
This program is based on income and provides a lump-sum cash payment to eligible lower-income seniors. Under this program, seniors who are facing financial difficulty in paying extraordinary, one-time expenses and who have no other resources to draw on can apply for financial assistance. The amount funded depends on income level and the type of expense. For a more detailed explanation, please call the number listed above in (1).
(4) – Alberta Blue Cross:
The Alberta Government provides premium-free Alberta Blue Cross Coverage for Seniors for health-related services not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). This coverage is available to all Albertans 65 years of age and older and all recipients of the Alberta Widows’ Pension and their dependents. When an Alberta resident reaches 65 years of age, the resident and all eligible dependants automatically qualify for this coverage, which covers Prescription Drugs, Ambulance Service, Clinical Psychological Services, Home Nursing Care, Prosthetic and Orthotic benefits and Mastectomy Prosthesis. For more information, dial 310-0000 and then (780)-427-1432.
(5) – Frauds and Scams:
On a daily basis, seniors are at risk of being taken advantage of by criminals. Although many legitimate businesses market their products and services over the telephone (telemarketing), door to door, or through the Internet, mail or newspaper and magazine ads, there are some dishonest people who will use these methods to try to take your money.
Learn how to tell the difference between a legitimate and honest offer and those individuals that could be defrauding you. Remember, legitimate businesses are not concerned about consumers checking past customer relationships, and are willing to wait for consumers to decide to use their services. If they are reluctant to give you any information, you should be just as reluctant to hire them. I know that this may seem to be a bit difficult at times especially in light of the red-hot Alberta economy but the term caveat emptor (buyer beware) is probably more relevant in this type of climate than in any other.
For more information about frauds and scams such as:
· Home renovation fraud,
· Telemarketing fraud, and
· Identity theft,
You can contact:
Be informed; be safe!
Casper Lewitski
Alberta Region Chair
Pacific
Greetings from Vancouver to all members of the Allstream Pensioners Association, and also to all non members who read this bulletin.
It has been brought to my attention that our Association’s internet website has numerous old time pictures of locations where we worked with fellow employees .However, there is only one picture of BC District, a photo of the Repeater office at Field BC. If you who have pictures of friends and or locations in British Columbia, that you would be willing to share, please copy and send them to me. I will arrange to have them posted to the website.
I have fond memories of functions over the years, of social events, picnics and parties. Photographs, taken at such times are irreplaceable, and are of great interest.
Send any photographs to John Thomas 3938 Hoskins Rd North Vancouver BC V7K2P2 (telephone 604-987-9235), or as an email attachment to j-thomas@shaw.ca
Also please remember that the District meeting will be held in September, the location and date will be available in the next bulletin
John Thomas, Chairman Pacific Region.
Pension Income Splitting
Firstly, the report that pension splitting became Canadian law on November 7, 2006 as reported in the previous edition of this newsletter, and elsewhere, is in error. Apparently the government had second thoughts on the matter and decided to include it in the next Federal Budget, announced March 19, 2007. The budget was approved in Parliament on March 27 by a vote of 176 to 117.
This in no way affects the implementation of the pension splitting agenda (now termed “Pension Resolution”). Commencing in the taxation year of 2007 (filing deadline of April 30 2008) pensioners will be allowed to split up to 50% of pension income between spouses. This will produce a very noticeable tax reduction for those affected.
For individuals aged 65 years and over, eligible pension income includes lifetime annuity payments under a registered pension plan, a registered retirement savings plan or a deferred profit-sharing plan and payments out of or under a registered retirement income fund. For individuals under 65 years of age, eligible pension income includes lifetime annuity payments under a registered pension plan and certain
other payments received as a result of the death of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner.
For income tax purposes, the amount allocated will be deducted in computing the income of the transferor (the person who actually received the pension income) and included in computing the income of the transferee (the person to whom some or all of the pension income is allocated). Since it will in many cases increase the transferee’s tax payable, both persons must agree to the allocation in their tax returns for the year in question.
The pension income splitting allocation will be available for the 2007 and subsequent taxation years, and must be made one year at a time
Canadians 65+ Sources of Income
You will
notice from the pie chart the average 65+ Canadian Senior derives 34% of income
from a Registered Pension Plan or Income fund.
This can be split between the pensioner and spouse. Combined with CPP/QPP 19%,
which has been splittable for many years, means 53% of income in this situation
can be divided between spouses for income tax purposes.
Allstream Pensioners’ Association was one of the 23 pensioner groups, involved in lobbying efforts which resulted in the breakthrough pension splitting regulation legislation. The 23 groups represent over 2.5 million Canadian pensioners and is known as the “Common Front”.
Much of the credit for the success goes to Dan Braniff, Chairman Georgian Bay Chapter Canadian Association of Retired People (CARP) for his leadership and dedication.
Admittedly, pension splitting is not for everyone. Singles and spouses with equal pension income will not benefit, but for our group a majority of couples will benefit, some more than others, depending on the disparity in income levels of the partners involved.
Source – Statistics Canada 2004
The Common Front, building on the success in promoting the income splitting initiative is looking for other areas to assist pensioners..
Currently under consideration are:
Capping of Municipal Real Estate Taxes – In high growth areas runaway municipal assessments can force fixed income pensioners out of their homes. This is another tax fairness issue that has a major negative impact on seniors. All the reasons we used for pension splitting also apply to getting a fairer municipal taxation system. We have always paid our fair share and should not be menaced in our Golden Years by skyrocketing evaluations driven by speculators. No senior should have to sell his or her lifelong home because of no controls or CAPS on this taxation.
STATSCAN Error in Calculating Consumer Price Index (CPI) from March 2001 to March 2006 – The error is minor, amounting to about $75 for an individual in receipt of both the maximum CPP and OAS, and an amount in that vicinity for recipients of the maximum GIS benefit. (The error amounts to underpayment of about 0.1% per year or 0.5% for the 5 year period). Though the amounts are not large, as a matter of principle the federal government should either issue a retroactive payment or set up a compensatory system to reimburse pensioners for miscalculations such as this.
Profile - Bob Harrison - Treasurer, Allstream Pensioners' Association: (Photo – Bob and wife, Jan)
Bob joined CNT on
Bay Street in Toronto in 1947 right
out of high school. After 6 months as a clerk in the General Superintendant’s
Office, he got a promotion to the Broadcast Services group in the Traffic
Department, which over the years was changed to Commercial Services and
eventually to the Marketing Department. After a number of advances, he ended up
as Manager of the radio and TV services which were leased to CBC Radio and TV,
CTV, Global TV and numerous private radio and TV stations and networks. A
couple of highlights of his career were the semi-annual trips to the Maritimes
to meet with CNCP, CBC and Telephone Company representatives as well as a two
week trip with CBC throughout the Yukon and into Alaska to inspect the CBC low
powered transmitters, and to meet local residents and mining company workers.
During the last few years before his early retirement in 1987, Bob took over the
handling of the press services provided to Canadian Press and Broadcast News.
Bob has lived in the greater Toronto area since his birth in 1930 and until
today where he lives in Pickering, ON. From his
early years until the 1960's he played for numerous hockey and softball teams in
the Toronto area, as well as for the CNT Flyers teams and all the different CNT
bowling leagues. One summer he even played professional softball in the Centre
Island league for Hanlans Point and received the unheard of amount of $1.00 per
game, with 2 beers at the start of the season as a signing bonus.
Bob is one of the founding fathers of our pension association and in addition to acting as a Director for a few years, has been our only Treasurer since 1990. In addition to keeping a tight reign on our money, he controls the data base (with the expert help of Bryant Freeman in Moncton), and arranges for the association meetings and answers numerous questions from our members across the country.
Bob has been married to Jeannette (Jan) for 52 years and they have 3 children and 5 grand children. After 17 years of working for the association, Bob would like to spend more time with his family and friends, and therefore, is asking if one of our members would like to lend a hand and act as Bob's assistant for a little while with the idea of eventually taking over the job of Treasurer.
Email – At present we have well over 500 members on our email list, and to whom we send out periodic messages on items of common interest. The system works very well, but has been troublesome from the outset, in this respect. When our members change email address, they sometimes fail to notify us of the change. (A “thank you” to the many who do remember, your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.)
SO, if you did receive email from us at one time, and no longer do so, it may be because you have changed your email address at some point. OR if you have an email account but have never received an email from us – In either case we would appreciate hearing from you.
Please send an email to lenferg@rogers.com with your email address and you will be added to the list.
Email is a wonderful mode of communication. It is fast, efficient and enables us all to easily “stay in the loop”. We promise to respect your privacy and not abuse the privilege of communicating with you.
United Way Draw
Winners of the United Way draw for a toaster and coffee maker are:
Stanley Brocke, Dawson Creek BC – winner of the toaster.
Gilles Gaudette, Verdun QC – winner of the coffee maker and travel mugs.
Congratulations to the winners. The rest of us will try again next year.
In Memoriam
| Regina Sirutis | Toronto, Ontario | August 2006 |
| Wilda Geen | Edmonton, Alberta | Decenber 1, 2006 |
| R. Gordon Read | Edmonton, Alberta | December 3, 2006 |
| Ed Woehl | Huntsville, Ontario | December 3, 2006 |
| John Zawoyski | Grimsby, Ontario | Unknown |
| Desmond Hewitt | Auteuil-Laval, Quebec | December 5, 2006 |
| Milton Guille | Powell River BC | December 7, 2006 |
| Len Poremba | Toronto,Ontario | December 7, 2006 |
| Marvin McGregor | Qualicum Beach, BC | December 13, 2006 |
| Eileen Christine Macmillan | North Sydney, NS | December 14, 2006 |
| Michael Collingwood | Ottawa, Ontario | December 21, 2006 |
| Bernie Gallant | PEI | December 21, 2006 |
| Lionel Caron | Ste Anne De La Perade, QC | December 28, 2006 |
| Christine Craig | Glasgow, Scotland | December 28, 2006 |
| * Rose Burdyny | Winnipeg, Manitoba | December 31, 2006 |
| * Aileen Craik | Lower Sackville, NS | December 31, 2006 |
| * Ada Grace Deguire | Toronto, Ontario | December 31, 2006 |
| * Linda Stanik | Estevan, Saskatchewan | December 31, 2006 |
| Neville Walker | Winnipeg, Manitoba | January 5, 2007 |
| Jack Burt | London, Ontario | January 14, 2007 |
| Armit Paul | Toronto, Ontario | January 21, 2007 |
| Louis Greenberg | Montreal, Quebec | January 26, 2007 |
| Pierre Gagne | Ste Foy, Quebec | January 28, 2007 |
| Edward Newton | Montreal, Quebec | January 31, 2007 |
| Stanley Westwood | Vancouver, BC | January 31, 2007 |
| Victor Abbott | Saint Johns, Newfoundland | February 7, 2007 |
| Kenneth Brooks | Bible Hill. Nova Scotia | February 9, 2007 |
| * Marilyn Lee | Scarboro, Ontario | February 9, 2007 |
| Roger Gregoire | Montreal, Quebec | February 10, 2007 |
| William Werstuck | Ancaster, Ontario | February 10, 2007 |
| Hartley McTavish | London, Ontario | February 10, 2007 |
| Verna Gork | Oakville, Ontario | February 23, 2007 |
| Walter Brun | Matapedia, Quebec | March 3, 2007 |
| Ronald Millard | Calgary, Alberta | March 4, 2007 |
| Kenneth Camp | Riverview, New Brunswick | March 6, 2007 |
| Bob Wells | Edmonton, Alberta | March 9, 2007 |
| Jackson Kay | Penticton,BC | March 16, 2007 |
| Edward Gardner | Stoney Plains, Alberta | March 18, 2007 |
| Gordon Gaskin | Scarboro, Ontario | March 29, 2007 |
| * Marie Anne Imbeault | Pointe Verte, NB | March 31, 2007 |
| Augustin St. Arnaud | Chomedey Laval, Quebec | March 31, 2007 |
| Alfred Klassen | Winnipeg, Manitoba | April 19, 2007 |
| * Rita Brun | Matapedia, Quebec | April 1, 2007 |
| John Mazur | Winnipeg, Manitoba | April 20, 2007 |
| Manuel Buenaventura | Toronto, Ontario | April 25, 2007 |
| Robert Clarke | London, Ontario | April 29, 2007 |
| Guy Degrace | Longueuil, Quebec | April 30, 2007 |
| * Denotes Survivor | ||
| In God’s Care | ||
Lost Members
Lost Members
There are 46 members of the Association for whom we do not have current postal addresses. Mail addressed to these people is returned as undeliverable. Your assistance is requested in trying to locate these “lost members”. Please look through the following list and if you have any information that would assist in locating them, we would be deeply appreciative.
Address responses to Bob Harrison 1890 Valley Farm Road Apt 716 Pickering, ON L1V 6B4 or telephone Bob at 905 831 8915 (Bob will accept collect calls), or email him at bobharri@rogers.com
The list alphabetically arranged, with last known location, is as follows:
Allemeersch, Henry Hope BC
Andersen, Elaine Hamilton ON
Attrell , Ruth Weston ON
Birrell, Bernetta Wasaga Beach ON
Bloch, Denise North York ON
Boulanger, Clarisse Notre-Dame-des-Bois QC
Brault, Denise Ste Foy QC
Bryars, James T. Victoria Harbour ON
Costain, Vivian Scarborough ON
Couturier, Shirley Ottawa ON
Cummings, Beverley Trenton ON
Ellefson, Mary Vermillion AB
Fong, Jung W. Langley BC
Freeman, Mary C. North Vancouver BC
Giles, Florence Dryden ON
Gourley, Frances Regina SK
Hall, Enid C. Whitby ON
Halliday, Yolande Montreal QC
Harrison, Phil Edson AB
Hemphill, Robert Calgary AB
Horbulyk, Mike Vancouver BC
Landriault, J. Maurice Pointe-aux-Trembles QC
Leduc, Ghislane Tremblay Montreal QC
Leduc, Jeannine Beloeil QC
Manton, Lucille Gatineau QC
Marrenger, Marguerite St-Hubert QC
Meeks, Faith Chilliwack BC
Messervey, Evelyn New Minas NS
Patten, Barbara V. Mount Pearl NL
Paziuk, Helen Prince Albert SK
Phillip, Joan York ON
Prosser, Robert J. Vancouver BC
Ramage, Kathleen Surrey BC
Rennies, Pamela J. Willowdale ON
Robertson, John R. Toronto ON
Saikali, Renee Scarborough ON
Scantlebury, Nergish Toronto ON
Stuart, Russell Nanaimo BC
Tezguler, Halide Mississauga ON
Thomas, John Edmonton AB
Vanchu, Eldeen Whitby ON
Walker, Doris Calgary AB
Warrington, Harry B. Calgary AB
Westwood, Stanley S. Vancouver BC
Wilson, Carol A. Victoria BC
Wilson, Shirley Saskatoon SK
Contacting Allstream
If you have any questions relating to Pension or Extended Care matters, or you wish to contact Allstream for other reasons this can be done through the Employee/Pensioner Helpline. The telephone number is 1 800 276 7630. The Helpline should also be used to notify the company of status changes, such as postal address or telephone number changes, loss of spouse etc. Unresolved issues may be referred to your nearest Allstream Pensioners’ Association representative for furtherance.
Your submissions are welcome – Members are reminded that this is their publication. Our aim is to include items which are of interest and/or helpful to our members. If you have any suggestions in this regard, human interest stories, or useful tips, we would be pleased to receive them for publication in the next or following issues.
Correspondence from our members
John Riddell challenges “Telephone Scams” item on page 8 of the previous edition of this newsletter (December 2006)
The item read as follows:
"I Need Your Help Testing Your Telephone Line."
You could receive a
telephone call from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T. Bell, Telus,
etc. Service Technician conducting tests on our telephone lines. He will tell
you that to complete the test, you should press nine (9), zero (0), the pound
sign (#) and then hang up. Don't do this! It is a scam to make a long distance
call which will be charged to your bill.
Our member John Riddell, who has a lifetime of telephone experience, tells us this information is totally false. In John’s words
I read about this "Old Hoax" in the news letter....this thing is totally false and has been around
for years....If someone calls your home phone and you do the 9-0-# absolutely nothing will
happen !
John Riddell. (Retired Bell 34 years).....then retired AT&T Canada.
Telecommunications Museum
Two of our members are collecting telegraph artifacts and memorabilia which we understand will be given to area museums in local railway stations. If you have photos, interesting newspaper and/or written personal stories, telegraph or other communications equipment from the past, even old telegram, train order forms etc they would be interested in talking to you about your treasures. Gather together all possible background information and contact :
Keith Metcalfe: tel: 705-762-5926.
Gaetan Laferriere: tel 705-789-3009; e-mail patch.1@sympatico.ca.
A phone call for either of the above gentlemen would only take a few minutes and could
be mutually rewarding…
(Suggestion; have your photo taken with your donations and forward with a short story
to our Webmaster for inclusion on our Association site which is a “virtual” museum !)
Following 4 forms on pages11 and 13 of this newsletter
1. Membership Renewal Form
2. Proxy Voting Form
3. Change of Address Form
4. Membership Application Form
May we request you pay special attention to these forms, returning those which are applicable in the enclosed return envelope.
ALLSTREAM PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Membership fees for the year July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 are due on July 1, 2007. The Board of Directors has set the annual
fee for all members of the Association, except surviving spouses, at $10. Surviving spouses of deceased members of the Association are not required to pay any annual membership fees.
To continue your membership in the Association for 2007 - 2008 would you please complete the information asked for below and forward this form together with a cheque or money order for the amount indicated above to R.E. Harrison, Treasurer of the Association, 1890 Valley Farm Road, Apt. 716, Pickering, ON L1V 6B4, using the enclosed return envelope. NOTE: Cheques or money orders should be made payable to Allstream Pensioners Association.
Note- We still have numbers of members who are in arrears with their dues. Your “paid up to date” appears on the address label of the envelope which contains this newsletter. If that date is not June 30, 2007 or later, then you are in arrears. Please complete the following form, enclosing $10 for each year that you are in arrears. (For example if the expiry date is June 30, 2006, you are one year in arrears, if the expiry date is June 30, 2005, you are two years in arrears).. If you are in arrears please add the amount you are in arrears to the current dues payment. If your paid up date is 2008 or later, your dues are paid in advance, and no further payment is necessary until after the expiry date.
FULL NAME: ______________________________________________________ AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $_______________
STREET ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________ APARTMENT NO._________
CITY/TOWN____________________________________________________________ PROVINCE______________________
POSTAL CODE_____________________
"----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail this proxy to: R.E. Harrison, Allstream Pensioners’ Association
1890 Valley Farm Road Apt 716
Pickering ON L1V 6B4 using the envelope enclosed in this newsletter.
Regular members of the Association have the right to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting.
If you do not plan to attend this meeting you may nominate another person to vote on your behalf.
Directors and Officers of the Corporation will be in attendance at the meeting. Members may assign their voting rights to one of the persons listed on the attached Form of Proxy OR to another person by indicating one of the persons listed or entering the name of another person in the space provided and returning the form to the Association in the enclosed envelope.
FORM OF PROXY
(This assignment of proxy is valid only if signed by the member. Please note that this is not a ballot but the means for designating a person to vote on your behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Allstream Pensioners’ Association.)
As member of the Allstream Pensioners’ Association, I hereby appoint (check one name only).
_______ Wayne Boyle (Director) _______ Andy Kruk (Director)
_______ Norm Czepiela ( Vice President/Director) _______ Bob Clarke (Director)
_______ Leonard Ferguson (Director) _______ John Thomas (Director)
_______ Norman B. Hobbs (President/Director) _______ Jacques Rochefort (Director)
_______ Vic Johnson (Secretary/Director)
OR ______________________________________________________ (your choice)
To act on my behalf in respect of all matters which may come before the General Meeting of the Allstream Pensioners’ Association on Wednesday June 13, 2007.
_____________________________________________________ ______________________________________
(Signature of Member) (Date)