Dear editor,
Treasury Board president Tony Clement has reportedly ordered a change to the federal extended health insurance plan that would effectively double the premiums paid by retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and public service.
My immediate concern is that the more vulnerable retirees — seniors on the lower rungs of the economic ladder — could be forced to choose between health insurance and the daily necessities of life.
That is hardly moving Canada in the right direction.
For myself, I regard this as a broken promise.
During my 35 years in the RCAF, those of my contemporaries who moved to the private sector earned two to three times what I did for similar work. That was OK.
I felt what we were doing was important plus I was promised a pension and a continuation of the extended health coverage for which I first signed up in the 1960s.
Now it seems that one part of that contract is about to be torn up. One wonders what is next.
The National Association of Federal Retirees (FSNA) has been opposing this arbitrary change as a matter of principle through a campaign of letters and petitions.
Anyone who would like to lend their support can do so by following the link to Honour Your Promise at www.fsna.com.
William Turnbull,
Courtenay