The Coalition Chairperson’s Message

As the current Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition of Seniors’, Pensioners’, & Retirees’ Associations and Groups (commonly referred to as the Coalition or Seniors Coalition), I welcome you to this Coalition webpage under the umbrella website of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners’ Association (NLPSPA). The Coalition has a long history, despite a bit of a rocky start in the early days from 1997-2002 when the Association, NAPE and CUPE undertook to establish a coalition relationship that unfortunately
were unsuccessful due to a wide difference in opinion about joint trusteeship of the pension plan.

It was in March of 2008 that the Coalition then reformed to collectively exert influence to reduce the injustices to public service pensioners over the years with eight (8) original participating groups. From 2009-2010, the Coalition, with support from the NLPSPA, developed a repositioned approach on pension issues to one of a Public Awareness Campaign, including research, communications strategies, and a series of meetings in various strategically important parts of the province. This approach continued throughout 2010 to 2011, with the Coalition eventually being named the Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition of Pensioners, Retirees and Seniors. However, this was a great period of time of assault on the pension plan from the business community, corporate community and the general public who were blaming the government deficit on pensioners. and the Coalition struggled to gain ground on its advocacy
actions to government.

In April of 2014, the Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition of Seniors’, Pensioners’, and Retirees’ Associations and Groups officially re-branded and re-launched, having been around since 2008. Known by a shortened name as the “Coalition”, there was little support initially for the issues being addressed, as the Coalition was publicly perceived to be representing only those pensioner organizations that had a former union related employment history. The
Coalition recognized that concerns of retirement security, health outcomes, and social engagement were common to all participating associations and that by consolidating these into a single voice while preserving the original purpose and activities of each participating organization, the capacity to advocate on matters that challenged the well-being and quality of life of all aging persons in Newfoundland and Labrador, in particular, and in Canada generally
could be better impacted through unity and collaboration.

Over the years, groups have affiliated or dis-affiliated with the Coalition, depending on their particular circumstance and focus at any given time. Currently, there are 12 associations in the Coalition who collectively subscribe to provide a forum for seniors’, pensioners’, and retirees’ associations and groups to collaborate on issues that may affect financial well-being, health and wellness issues and benefits, and social considerations in retirement; to build a network for information exchange; to facilitate a collective voice of influence; and, to advocate on matters
that are of importance to members and their families.

The Coalition is widely recognized provincially and nationally, holds regular meetings with the NL federal members of Parliament, meets regularly with the provincial Ministers of Health & Community Services and Children, Seniors & Social Development, with other affiliated community groups with like purpose and has taken a strong stand on issues that in any way impact the health, safety and security of older persons. This webpage is a welcome opportunity to see advocacy in action and to keep up to date on what the NLPSPA, through the Coalition, is undertaking to speak up and speak out on issues that impact all pensioners, retirees, and older persons.

Sharron Callahan
Chairperson.