In the summer of 1967 a group of seniors met at a picnic in Sussex, New Brunswick to discuss the many issues facing seniors in the province at that time. From this meeting the New Brunswick Seniors Citizens' Federation (NBSCF) was formed in 1968. The province is divided into thirteen regional zones led by Zone Presidents who are elected to the Federation Board of Directors by the members of their respective zones.
The NBSCF Board consists of the Executive Committee and Zone Presidents. The current Executive Committee is formed of :
Robert LeBlanc of Moncton, NB - President
Charles T. Gray of Plaster Rock, NB - 1st Vice-President
Hermance LeBlanc of Memramcook, NB - 2nd Vice-President
Robéa Cormier of Acadieville, NB - Secretary
Joseph Gauvin of Shediac, NB - Treasurer
Ralph Smith of Grand Barachois, NB - Immediate Past President
Over the years the Federation has worked to improve the well-being and benefits to the seniors of this province. Some of these accomplishments are as follows:
- Worked with government to improve number of hours of care in long-term care facilities.
- Worked with the Red Cross to set up province-wide friendly visits and telephone reassurance programs for seniors.
- Worked with New Brunswick Non-Profit Housing Authority
to obtain new housing for low-income seniors.
- With financial support from the New Horizons for Seniors Program, delivered a Driving Refresher Course, free of charge, to more than 1,000 seniors.
- Worked with the New Brunswick Apartment Owners' Association to obtain fairer tax rates for apartment owners and tenants.
- Met with the New Brunswick Pharmaceutical Association to extend the period of prescriptions allowed.
- Worked with the New Brunswick Medical Society to address the physicians' shortage in the province.
We are presently working with the New Brunswick govern-ment to address the following seniors' issues:
- Diabetic supplies, ostomy supplies and foot care for seniors to be included in Medicare.
- Eliminate GST on heating.
- Extend length of passports to 10 years.
We have an active membership of 19,000 in 167 Seniors and Golden Age Clubs throughout the province. In addition, we have a number of direct members (named Individual members) who are not members of any club. We are a bilingual organization with all our material produced in both French and English.
Ralph Smith, Grand Barachois, New Brunswick
[Ed. note] The NBSCF is an affiliated member of CPC National. Mr. Smith is First Vice-President.
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