Advocacy Spotlight: Mid-Island and Pacific Rim Branch meets election candidates

October 07, 2024
A group of older adults applaud at a town hall event.
Volunteers with Federal Retirees’ Mid-Island and Pacific Rim Branch have been hard at work in advance of the Oct. 19 British Columbia election.
 

Mid-Island and Pacific Rim Branch volunteers have been busy meeting with candidates in advance of the British Columbia provincial election. 

On Sept. 10, branch advocacy liaison Marg Smith and branch director Larry Biccum spent an hour with Adam Walker, the independent candidate for Ladysmith-Oceanside, at his office in Qualicum Beach. This discussion focused on the Federal Retirees B.C. election priorities of access to care and housing. 

On Sept. 16, branch president Rick Roberts, branch advocacy committee member Charles Scrivener and branch advocacy liaison Marg Smith met with Conservative Party of B.C. candidate for Nanaimo-Ladysmith Gwen O’Mahony and policy analyst Stewart Fletcher. This meeting focused on health care and housing issues related to older adults. 

The branch has also sent letters to each nominated candidate and are continuing to pursue meetings with candidates they have not yet met.

In addition, the branch has provided information to their members on local community town halls, which they’re encouraged to attend, as well as a list of questions to help start meaningful conversations about issues affecting older adults in B.C. 

The branch also encourages members to visit Federal Retirees’ B.C. election hub and to send the template letter to the candidates in their constituency.

 

About Advocacy Spotlight

Advocacy Spotlight showcases successful initiatives and projects put forward by our dedicated volunteers and supporters.

The National Association of Federal Retirees has a proud history of advocacy on behalf of our members and all retirees. In collaboration with our volunteers and supporters from coast-to-coast, we continue this tradition of strong, smart advocacy campaigns focused on improvements to the financial security, health and well-being of our members and all Canadians. Our success is not only measured in policy changes and legislation. It grows with every meaningful discussion with parliamentarians, and with every email and letter written. Together, we are achieving and surpassing our strategic advocacy goals and targets every day.