The BC FORUM Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on June 18th at the USW Hall in Langley. It was our third hybrid AGM and it appears we have managed to iron out a few more wrinkles. BC FORUM President, Sam Wiese, was busy Congress or Union Retirees convention in Toronto which set 1st Vice President, Gord Savard, as chair of the meeting. Treasurer, Dan Bradford, is recovery from surgery so we were thankful to have the financial expertise of 2nd Vice President, Gwenne Farrell, and take on the Treasurers report. Last, but certainly not least, Board Secretary Michelle Laurie, pulled everything together, from compiling membership lists, putting together AGM packages to making sure coffee was ready for those that needed it she went above and beyond.
Special thanks to our Resolutions co-chairs Marion Pollack and John Hooker; Agnes Jackman for handing on-site registration and Ros Kellett for picking up snacks.
The meeting began with a moment of silence to honour late members. Gord acknowledged the gathering’s location on Indigenous territories.
Hermender Singh Kailley, Secretary Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour, emphasized the importance of working people in driving the economy and highlighted the need for good jobs and public services. He expressed gratitude for BC Forum’s work and commitment to improving the BC Senior Supplement and restoring public transit
The delegation then heard from Joe McCann and Laura Wiley of the Amalgamated Transportation Union (ATU) Local 1724, the local representing HandyDart drivers. Joe and Laura spoke on the Save our HandyDart Coalition, which is focused on the campaign to bring Handy Dart, a specialized transit service for people with disabilities, under public control. Laura Wiley, financial secretary for the Amalgamated Transit Union, explained that HandyDart is currently operated by French multinational company Transdev, and the NDP’s promise to bring it in-house has been delayed. The union is advocating for public control to keep taxes local, improve accountability, and ensure reliable service. Marion moved a resolution supporting the campaign, which was seconded and passed. The group discussed various strategies to support the initiative, including letter writing campaigns and collaboration with other organizations focused on transportation equity and poverty reduction.
Peter Julian, former MP for Burnaby New Westminster, thanked BC Forum for their advocacy work and highlighted recent achievements such as the implementation of anti-scab legislation, the dental care program, and the first step of pharmacare. He warned about the Liberal government’s shift to the right under Mark Carney’s leadership, expressing concern over potential setbacks in dental care expansion, pharmacare progression, and affordable housing initiatives. Julian called on BC Forum to continue advocating for these issues and emphasized the need to hold the Liberal government accountable for their policies.
Following addresses from special guests, delegates got busy with resolutions and acceptance of the Board of Directors’ report. The recommendations in the report as well as resolutions carried provide the focus BC FORUM will take over the following 12 months.
From the Board Report :
1. That wherever possible BC FORUM be visible and/or in attendance at affiliate conferences,conventions , meetings of locals and at CLC Winter School
2. That BC FORUM investigate other , more efficient membership enrollment and information capture methods
3. That BC FORUM look to appointing Regional Representatives as Directors on the Board
4. That BC FORUM Directors take a more active role and responsibility in the day to day administration of our society.
5. That BC FORUM work with other CURC educators to finalize the updates to the “What’re You Doing After Work?” workshop.
6. That BC FORUM maintains and recommit to actions that will ensure the health, safety and financial well-being of seniors.
From the resolutions:
BC FORUM will work with its affiliates and actively lobby to :
- assist in the rebuilding of the Federal NDP
- promote strong public inter-community bus service and ensure that our public transit systems meet the needs of all
- ensure the Canada Dental Plan is strengthened and made easier to access
- make sure that Canada Post remains a public entity which expands rather than shrinks services offered
- rapidly expand Pharmacare
- have the Federal Government meet its commitments to co-op housing and promote the benefits of same
- make the Safe Long-Term Care Act mandatory and
- enforceable, ensuring seniors across the country get the care they deserve,
- ensure that pensions are protected
- stop the privatization of healthcare
We have our work cut out for us friends!