Letter from B.C. Government Retired Employees Association Re: Removal of MSP Premiums

B.C. Government Retired Employees Association

Victoria Branch Legislative Buildings V8V 1X4

February 6, 2012

His Worship Graham Hill Mayor of the Township of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue View Royal, British Columbia V9B 1A6

Your Worship,

The British Columbia Government Retired Employees’ Association, at its Annual General Meeting in Tsawwassen on October 19, 2011, passed a resolution asking the government of our province to remove MSP premiums from seniors and all citizens of British Columbia.

Our Association has 26 branches throughout the province and each branch was asked to contact their local Mayors and Council. As you know, the City of Vancouver passed the following Resolution last year,

WHEREAS:

1. British Columbia is the only province in Canada where seniors must pay Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums;
2. Many seniors in British Columbia are struggling to pay their bills for daily needs;
3. Many seniors are paying hundreds of dollars in MSP premiums; and
4. Many retirees of the Municipal Pension Plan are former employees of local and regional governments.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver call on the Province of British Columbia to eliminate the MSP premiums for seniors to conform with all other provinces;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Vancouver call on the Province of British Columbia that, upon the elimination of MSP premiums, they contribute the present percentage of employers’ contributions previously used for MSP premiums to assist in the payment of Group Health Benefits; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this motion be sent to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Lower Mainland Local Government Association for their endorsement.

At the September 2011 Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ Convention, this motion was endorsed. Our Association also wrote to Councillor Barbara Steele, then President of UBCM and it was endorsed as well.

The purpose of this letter from the Victoria Branch of the BCGREA is asking the local municipalities in the CRD to support the position and to individually pass a resolution requesting similar action by the provincial government.

Yours truly,

Sarjit K. Manhas Chair, Victoria Branch 1200 & President, Provincial Body.