Retirees

"Islanders and Canadians alike know that fundamental change is necessary and that we must work together to see it through for the benefit of all. Let’s stand together to not only improve the working conditions for our members, but also to improve the quality of life for those they care for." — Karen Jackson, PEIUPSE President

"This polling shows that Canadians understand that our LTC system needs to change. Before the vaccines, Canada was the worst country at protecting our seniors in LTC. 80% of pandemic-related deaths were in LTC. Invest and make it public, these are 2 key steps toward better protecting our seniors and the workers who care for them." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

"Chartwell's actions prove once again that the profit motive is directly at odds with supporting the kind of care system that workers and seniors' deserve." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

NUPGE says defeat of Bill C-213, the Canada Pharmacare Act, must not be the end for pharmacare. Federal legislation to enact universal public pharmacare is needed now! 

The Canada Pharmacare Act, Bill C-213, represents a critical step forward towards full universal public pharmacare. The National  Union is urging all members of parliament to vote for this private members' bill.

“Ending privatization means that the millions of dollars that for-profit companies pay to their owners every year will be available to improve care in long-term care facilities” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

A report looking at the impact of underfunding in long-term care and how privatization makes the problems worse. 

"Governments are failing to protect our most vulnerable citizens. People living in residential care facilities continue to suffer and die because of the lack of decisive action.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

“Enough is enough. Perhaps the Premier isn’t being told the truth about why all these deaths are happening, and what has to be done to stop them. The truth needs to come out. Someone has to be held to account." — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President

"We can honour and celebrate our seniors by providing the resources to ensure they receive the best care. We must learn from this lesson, once and for all." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

Join us and the Ottawa Health Coalition on September 17 at 7 p.m. in a live town hall to talk about how we can make for-profit long-term care public! Register here! 

"We have a system that looks at care in silos rather than a coherent system that is concerned about health from birth to death. This needs to change." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

"I am calling on your government to extend the provisions of the Canada Health Act to include Canada’s residential care facilities. By doing so you would ensure that they must meet the 5 principles of the CHA: public administration, accessibility, comprehensiveness, universality and portability." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

“This should be one of the first accountability structures established: the well-being of patients and staff is too important to simply allow this report to sit on a shelf collecting dust” — Jason MacLean, NSGEU President

"If we want more frontline staff, we need to be creating incentives for new workers to enter the profession, and to transition part-time and casual workers into a full-time career. That is what we are hearing from the government, so it is encouraging news for seniors and workers alike." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

“It’s like they took $1.2 million that belongs to Grey County residents and set it on fire.” — Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, OPSEU First Vice-President and Treasurer 

“I’m as pleased as punch that we can take away some anxiety that some members might have about their retirement income." — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President

Thousands joined the MGEU’s 2 pension tele-meetings to talk about potential changes to pensions and ask questions. If you missed the call, recordings of both meetings are now available.

“Our union remains committed to protecting public pensions and ensuring the government lives up to its promise to protect them as well." — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President

"This report provides more evidence that austerity policies do nothing to improve the lives of British Columbians." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President