Budget 2019 a win for Federal Retirees - Real test comes with implementation and details

OTTAWA, March 19, 2019 /CNW/ - The National Association of Federal Retirees (Federal Retirees) was in the thick of budget 2019 today, analyzing the federal budget from the media and stakeholder lock-ups.

"Budget 2019 is chock-full of measures that we have advocated for and will positively impact older adults and their families, from steps to make drugs more accessible and affordable, to a national dementia strategy, to potentially improved retirement security measures for people in the terrible situation of employer insolvencies," says Federal Retirees president Jean-Guy Soulière. "We're also pleased to see measures that will help some of our most vulnerable members, particularly the survivors of some veterans – something we've advocated for – and veterans who are transitioning out of uniform."

One unmet expectation: that a national seniors strategy would finally become a reality. Though the budget contained several needed strategies on diverse issues, including dementia, suicide and racism, a comprehensive approach on seniors was again lacking. While elements of it were addressed in the 2018 and 2019 budgets, Federal Retirees will again be calling for a dedicated focus on a national seniors strategy under the leadership of a minister for seniors with Canada's next government.

"This budget is undoubtedly an election budget," notes Soulière. "Our work on behalf of our members isn't over yet. We're continuing to advocate for them, especially as the budget implementation act comes into play over the coming weeks because that's where the real details are."

In the lead-up to the 2019 federal election, Federal Retirees is partnering with eight seniors-focused organizations to highlight the importance of Canada's next government acting on the issues that are most important to older adults – making retirement income more secure, improving the lives of veterans and their families, implementing a national seniors strategy and prioritizing pharmacare. Learn more at www.federalretirees.ca.

"My team and I are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and diving into the details of this federal budget," notes Association advocacy director Sayward Montague. "Over the coming days, we'll be bringing our members further analysis on how the budget impacts them, what's behind the commitments we heard about today and the issues they consider important – after all, retired public servants are still a force and they continue to serve, too!"

The National Association of Federal Retirees (Federal Retirees) is the largest national advocacy organization representing active and retired members, as well as their partners and survivors, of the federal public service, Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and federally appointed judges. With 176,000 members, including more than 60,000 veterans and their families, Federal Retirees has advocated for improvements to the financial security, health and well-being of our members and all Canadians for more than 50 years.

SOURCE National Association of Federal Retirees

For further information: Karen Ruttan, Manager, communications and marketing, National Association of Federal Retirees, 865 Shefford Rd., Ottawa, K1J 1H9, 613-745-2559, ext. 256, [e-mail]