On the District meeting front, we are currently working on a hybrid model for meetings where we can have face to face meetings and Zoom meetings at the same time. The Zoom meetings will be to help those that can’t attend face to face meetings but would like to stay informed about pension issues. It is our hope that by September we can try the Hybrid model for district meetings to accommodate those members that are unable to come to a face to face meeting but would still like to be part of the discussion at the district level. We may be overly optimistic about the September target but our goal is to test out the system and hope that the public health rules allow our face to face meetings to resume.

In March of this year we hired a new Operations Manager, Heather Holmes to coordinate the activities in our provincial office. Heather brings the necessary skills for this position as well as a strong background in computers, websites and IT in general. It is our hope that we can update our website, evaluate our platform, and investigate ways we can assist the districts. This is a slow process and we have started with changing the platform at the writing of this report. Like any other Organization, we are continually trying to improve our service to the district and Heather is part of the team that can assist in this challenge.

We are continuing to meet with many other retiree groups like the BC Retired Teachers’ Association, B.C. Government Retired Employees’ Association, and the Association of BC College Pension Plan Retirees. We have found these meetings very helpful and we have met on a monthly basis to share ideas and discuss options for services to our members. We have done a lot of sharing with this group and by listening to new idea that have worked we can build on the success and be aware of the cautions of these association. Our goal is to continue these meetings and start to focus on subject specific topics that are in the best interests of all of these associations.

In closing, I would like to say how pleased I was with our 2021 Convention. You, the members, pulled out the stops to get Zoom installed on your computers and many took advantage of our tutoring team to prepare for the event. The entire Provincial Executive, our staff, and many of you, the membership, worked very hard and are all responsible for the success of this 2021 Convention. I would also like to thank Keeghan Polard of Ursa Creative in coordinating, behind the scenes. It took a team to complete this task and you should all be congratulated for the roll you played in this event.

The 2021 Biennial Convention, this year via Zoom, was convened May 12&13. There are many to thank for the success of this event, but none more than the 84 delegates themselves. With most attending at least one group training session, and many requiring one on one instruction from Bob Emery or Lawrence Eddy, delegates arrived practiced in how to utilize their mute/unmute, electronic hand, and chat features on whichever device they were using. Voting with polling procedures, and entering breakout rooms was easily done. Thanks to all for your patience, diligence and participation. Business of the convention was routine in nature with the President's Report, Financial Report, Vice Presidents and Committee Reports being presented and accepted. Twenty-five (25) Special Resolutions and Three (3) Resolutions were presented to the delegates and voted upon, and elections for all executive positions were held.

1.     Resolution #1 – Long Term Care and Assisted Living Homes: standard of care

Therefore, be it resolved that the MPRA campaign the Government of the

Be it further resolved to ensure that this standard of care is consistent throughout all for profit, not for profit, union, non-union, assisted living and long-term care facilities.

2.     Resolution #2 – Long Term Care and Assisted Living Homes – standard of staffing

Therefore, be it resolved that the MPRA campaign the Government of the Province of British Columbia to enact legislation to ensure that single-site staffing continues for evermore in all profit and not for profit, union and non-union long-term care and assisted living facilities within the Province of British Columbia.

Be it further resolved that all employees of long-term care and assisted living facilities earn a livable wage with full benefit packages.

The Board will be voicing your concerns to the Provincial Government, and we encourage districts and individual members to do the same.

The Pension Corporation will be continuing with virtual pre-retirement webinars into the future. As we will, therefore, not have a physical presence, the MPRA has requested that a slide be included in the webinar presentation. The slide being used is shown below:

Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) has updated the information posted on its website regarding the recent enhancements to the Extended Health Benefits. An extensive Question and Answer section that addresses the various questions asked by the MPRA on behalf of its members is easily accessed through the MPRA website, links tab. Click on Changes effective January 1, 2021, and Changes to coverage limits for MPP Members to view Frequently Asked Questions, as well as an Overview of Coverage Changes, and a List of Maintenance Drugs impacted by the new limits.

Members are able to use the drug lookup tool from their profile online or on the app. Members looking up their drug will see if there are applicable dispensing fee limits. Additionally, they will see how many fees they have remaining for the year. Any member having questions concerning their specific medications are encouraged to speak with their pharmacist or to call Pacific Blue Cross (PBC): (604) 419-2000 (toll free at 1 800 USE-BLUE)

·        Itemized receipts for equipment and supplies purchased

·        A completed Sleep Apnea Prior Approval form (available on Member Profile)

·        Sleep Study Report from the last five years

·        Type of device prescribed

PBC will reimburse non-emergency medical expenses incurred while travelling outside of your Province/Territory of residence subject to the deductible, in Province/Territory reimbursement percentage, and limitations. PBC will not reimburse any expenses payable or provided by a government plan.

If you have any additional questions, or do not have access to a computer or internet, please contact Pacific Blue Cross at (604) 419-2000 (toll free at 1 800 USE-BLUE).

As a single widower, it has been a challenge to find prepared meals for a single person. I have recently become aware of a company called “Better Meals.” They are located in Burnaby and are easy to find on the internet. http://www.bettermeals.ca/ Meals are varied and by clicking on the meal, it displays items included in the main course. Meals also include soup and dessert, and most are $7.50 inclusive. They are delivered to your home for free and are frozen. They deliver to my area once a week and call two hours ahead to ensure you are home to receive them. I have heard several positive comments on the quality of the meals. I have now received my first order (min $30.00) and they are great. The other places I have found are “Chef on the Run” on 2^nd Ave in Sydney ($10.00 each, frozen or fresh) and the deli section of Quality Foods near VGH ($7.00-$8.00 each). Full turkey, chicken, roast beef, spaghetti dinners, etc. I usually split these in two and freeze them for future use due to their size. $4.00 each, not bad.

When Provincial President Erskine first heard from Brian McConville (former Regional Vice President Lower Mainland) that the Government was at last announcing the when and how of Seniors Covid19 Vaccinations, he quickly realized that time was of the essence. The MPRA had a duty to its members to get the information into their hands as quickly as possible. Instructional information was sent to the Kelowna office for distribution.  All members with computer access received this information within 66 minutes of the announcement, 85% of whom opened it within 8 hours. Aware that all members aren’t connected, Terry was able to receive a special phone number that our members would be able to call and book their appointment.  Phone committees throughout the province were asked to contact those on their lists without computers with this information. When time IS of the Essence, the MPRA has the ability to reach our members quickly.

Sharon Leveque

Bennett Award/Special Recognition - Sharon Leveque and Rolli Cacchioni

https://www.castanet.net/news/Sports/33637

Facebook Page: @MPRABC

Linkedin.com/company/municipal-pension-retirees-association

Twitter: @MpraRetirees

•Policyholders received 4 months of additional coverage in 2020 at no cost

•Shortened 2021 policy year: January 1st – August 31st

•Emergency medical coverage for COVID-19

•Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption coverage related to COVID-19 not available as of January 1, 2021

•Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption coverage for trips within your province or territory of residence (no coverage for COVID-19)

•Coverage for any number of trips within Canada, outside of your province or territory of residence, & can be of an unlimited duration under the Base Plan

•If you cancelled coverage, and then decide you want to travel again, you can now re-enroll at any time this policy year (no penalties)

•If you are not traveling you can cancel the travel portion of your coverage at any time

•If you cancel and then decide you want to travel again, re-enroll at any time (90 day stability clause will apply for first 90 days of coverage)

Please be advised that if you have a policy with Johnson Insurance

as a member and you include your spouse in that policy, your spouse is required to be

included on your account with the MPRA. This ensures your insurance is correct

and allows MPRA to receive the correct group discount.

We are in the process of reviewing the information received from Johnson Insurance.

If you find that this has been missed, please call us and we will add your spouse

to your account.