BC FORUM News Resolutions supporting important seniors issues
passed at 2011 AGM Burnaby, June 22, 2011 - Three important resolutions supporting important seniors issues were passed by members at the 2011 BC FORUM Annual General Meeting that took place in Burnaby on June 22, 2011. RESOLUTION #1 - SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR SENIORS WHEREAS most retired workers wish to age in place, staying in their own homes and communities, close to their families, friends, and social networks that allow them to remain active and engaged; and, WHEREAS home support services and residential care beds have been cut, forcing some seniors to move away from their home communities; and, WHEREAS currently there are fewer long term residential care beds in British Columbia than there were in 2001, and; WHEREAS the cost of home support and Assisted Living services for seniors is considerably less than the cost of residential care, intermediate and acute medical care services; and, WHEREAS seniors requiring only Assisted Living or Home Support Services often must utilize an immediate or acute medical care facility in order to receive any support; and, WHEREAS assisted living facilities and home support programs reduce the burden on intermediate and acute medical care services and enable seniors to live in dignity, in their own communities, at less cost to government; and, WHEREAS, despite many promises, the British Columbia government has never adequately addressed this issue, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that BC FORUM work with the BC Federation of Labour, its affiliates, and the CLC to continually encourage the BC Government to provide the Home Support, Assisted Living Services, and the long term residential care beds required by seniors in the province; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the restoration and expansion of public and non-profit home support services – including house-keeping and meal preparation services that promote wellness – be given priority as the preferred and lowest cost option to meet the needs of retired workers and their families. RESOLUTION #2 - RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY WHEREAS: Workers’ pension benefits can be significantly reduced when their employer goes bankrupt because Secured Creditors’ debts have priority over workers’ pensions; and, WHEREAS the maximum combined benefits from OAS and GIS fall below the poverty line for single individuals; and, WHEREAS expanding the Canada Pension Plan system is the most secure, cost effective, and reliable means of ensuring workers have of an adequate pension when they retire, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BC FORUM work with BC Federation of Labour, its affiliates and the CLC to encourage the federal government to: - Significantly expand the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) system in accordance with the CLC’s proposal. - Increase the support provided to the most vulnerable seniors by enhancing the “Guaranteed Income Supplement” (GIS). - Establish a national insurance plan to protect private pensions. - Require companies to properly fund their Defined Benefit plans, and direct that preference be given to workers’ pension plans when companies go bankrupt. RESOLUTION #3 - SAFE AND AFFORDABLE DRUGS WHEREAS the “Harper Government” is considering radically changing the Canadian Food and Drug Act in a manner that would reduce the requirements established to prove drugs are safe and effective before they are marketed; and, WHEREAS it is estimated that a “National Pharmacare” plan which purchased medically necessary prescription drugs in bulk could save Canadians $10.7 billion per year; and, WHEREAS a “National Pharmacare” plan would reduce prescription drug costs for the average Canadian and thus would make medically required drugs more accessible for low income seniors, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC FORUM work with the BC Federation of Labour, its affiliates and the CLC to encourage the Federal Government to implement a “National Pharmacare” plan which would purchase drugs in bulk for public use that have been proven to be safe and effective by the highest of standards. | 
