GENERALThe Armed Forces Pensioners'/Annuitants' Association Inc. of Canada, hereafter referred to as the Association, was established in 1970 to promote and protect the rights and interests of Canadian Armed Forces retirees and their survivors. This was made necessary by the continued antipathy on the part of federal governments and the bureaucracy toward the maintenance and continuation of the benefits for which the retirees had paid throughout their service.
Several names were used in the past to identify the Association until the current one, which was approved by the Associate Minister of National Defence on 5 March 1987.
The Association adopted as a logo, a red Maple Leaf on which are emblazoned symbols representing the three Services - on the dexter a tank, on the sinister a naval vessel of the cruiser type, and in chief an aircraft of the fighter tactical role. This is supported by the device AFP/AAC, being the initial letters of the name, and the whole subscribed by the motto: "SERVIVIMUS PATRIAE NOSTRAE" (We Have Served Our Country).
In support of the aim and aspirations of the Association, it has adopted the maxim "Equal pension for equal rank and service" - regardless of when an individual was retired, his/her superannuation must be equal to that of a person of the same rank and years of service who is retired today.
AIM
The Association aim is to promote and protect the rights and interests of Canadian Armed Forces retirees and their survivors.
ORGANIZATION
The defence of the rights of Canadian Armed Forces retirees is a complicated, and somewhat esoteric matter, thus the Association operates chiefly from a National Executive.
The membership at large is encouraged to take action at the individual level through petitioning of MPs and government agencies, letters to the Editor etc, but always in consonance with the central Association thrust, as a part of a single concentrated effort.
The formation of Branches, in locations where numbers warrant, is to be encouraged. In regions of significant Branch or individual activity, Regional Directors will be appointed.
GOVERNING PRINCIPLES
The Association will be governed so as to ensure that the fundamental democratic rights of all members are preserved. To this end the following constitutes a statement of principles by which we will be governed:
Membership is open to all who are in receipt of, or are eligible for, a pension or annuity for service in the Canadian Armed Forces. Spouses are deemed to be eligible.
A member whose membership dues are paid for the current year is considered to be a member in good standing. Only members in good standing may vote or hold office.
All officers will be non-paid volunteers elected or re-elected by the members or their representatives.
Meetings will be held at the various levels. Minutes will be taken and distributed as appropriate.
There will be no proxy privileges for voting at any meeting.
The development of strategy, setting of policy and the detailing of priorities is the purview of the National Executive in accordance with Board of Directors decisions and guidelines.
All executive action is subject to ratification by membership or their representatives.
All money, materiel and property will be administered in compliance with accepted business practices.
Any member whose actions or conduct bring discredit upon the Association, or impede its operation may, after proper investigation, be denied membership or removed from office.
AMENDING FORMULA
To amend this Constitution a Notice of Amendment will be distributed to all members. A two-thirds majority in favour constitutes a pass. Any ballot not returned within sixty days of mailing the Notice of Amendment constitutes a favourable ballot.
BY-LAWS
OBJECTIVES
1. To monitor government legislation, support that which is beneficial to Canadian Armed Forces retirees, and oppose that which would adversely affect them.
2. To press for an "equal pension for equal rank and service" provision in the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act.
3. To press for the inclusion of the Association in an effective and meaningful Canadian Forces Superannuation Advisory Committee which would participate in the decision making process for any proposed changes to the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act.
4. To seek an increase of the Survivors' Benefit to at least 60% of the contributor's pension or superannuation in accordance with the Canada Pension Benefits Standards Act.
5. To press for the reinstatement of Survivors' Benefits to annuitants who marry after passing the age of 60 years.
6. To seek reversal of the current (unauthorized) practice of imposing a second deduction, upon the recipient reaching age 65, ostensibly to pay for indexation of the CPP, since contributors have already paid 1% of pay to provide full indexation of the total retirement package of CF Superannuation and CPP.
7. To seek restoration to retirees from the Canadian Armed Forces, their full entitlement to the Unemployment Insurance Benefits for which they paid; or, conversely, to seek cessation of the deduction of UIC premiums from the pay of serving members.
8. To press for the introduction of a Dental Plan for Canadian Armed Forces retirees and their dependents. The plan to be optional and paid for by the users, similar to the plan for medical benefits available under the Public Service Health Care Plan (formerly GSMIP).
9. To press for full inflation protection for all personnel retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces on an annuity, with indexation starting immediately upon release.
10. To pursue an adjustment for the loss of income sustained by Canadian Armed Forces annuitants as a result of the "six and five" policy.
11. To seek the provision of a Survivors' Benefit for the widows of all former Servicemen who retired under the provisions of the Defence Services Pension Continuation Act (DSPCA).
12. To press for the introduction of "income splitting" of the Canadian Forces Superannuation similar to that available under the Canada Pension Plan.
13. To press for the inclusion of Militia and Reserve service in the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act.
14. To cooperate with other organizations with similar concerns in the preparation and presentation of briefs and papers, and to participate in joint actions for the benefit of Canadian Armed Forces retirees.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
There shall be an annual membership fee in the amount to be established at an Association General Meeting. The fee is currently $15.00 per calendar year.
Up to five years pre-paid memberships will be accepted. No discounts are offered.
MEETINGS
An Association General Meeting, open to all current paid up members, shall be held at least once every two years, at which time:
a. elections will be held;
b. the National Vice Chairman (Finance) shall present the financial statement;
c. executive action shall be ratified;
d. old business shall be discussed and acted upon as necessary; and
e. new business shall be introduced and addressed.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of the following officers:
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
National Chairman,
Vice Chairman (Administration),
Vice Chairman (Finance),
Vice Chairman (Military Widows),
Vice Chairman (Pension Advocacy),
MEMBERS
Membership Director,
Public Relations Director,
Translations Director, and
Regional Directors
Assistants may be designated as necessary, and Honourary Officers may be appointed by the Membership at an Association General Meeting. These appointees are non-voting members of the Board of Directors.
Current honourary appointments are:
Past Chairman,
President Emeritus, and
National Chaplain.
The Board of Directors will meet annually. They will normally assemble every second year in conjunction with the General Meeting, and in the intervening years they will confer by electronic means.
EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY
The National Chairman and Vice Chairmen shall constitute the National Executive of the Board of Directors. The National Executive will conduct all day-to-day business of the Association including the development of strategy, setting of policy and the detailing of priorities, in accordance with Board of Directors decisions and guidelines. Their actions will be reviewed and ratified at the annual Board of Director's meeting.
The actions of the Board of Directors will be reviewed and ratified at the Association General Meeting.
To protect the interests of the membership at large in view of the small and regional attendance at Association General Meetings, should those attending vote to override a substantial decision of the Executive, that matter will be put to a mail-in vote of all current members.
FINANCIAL PERIOD
The fiscal year shall end on the 31st day of December each year.
LEGAL ACCOUNT
Funds donated or contributed for legal purposes shall be lodged in a separate account called the Legal Account.
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
Association funds shall only be expended for necessary equipment acquisition, operating expenses or in direct pursuit of the stated Objectives.
BRANCHES
Branches will be established under Charter from the Board of Directors and operate in accordance with guidelines to be issued from time to time.
NEWSLETTER
There shall be a Newsletter published quarterly and circulated to all members.
AMENDING FORMULA
Recommendations for amendments to these by-laws may be made by the Board of Directors and approved by a majority at an Association General Meeting.
This amended CONSTITUTION was approved at the Annual General Meeting held in London, Ontario on 24 April 1994.
