Welcome to the website of York Branch
The York Branch website aims to keep members informed on branch activities; provide information on meeting schedules, branch advocacy and other areas of interest. Be sure to check back periodically for updates.
Branch President's Reports
Update – July 2025
We start into the hot summer months – even retirees have holidays! The Association’s annual meeting of members (AMM) was in June – but there will be a hangover event in November – more below. Meanwhile the Canadian forests are burning at high rate, a rate that many consider to reflect a planetary warming climate, which some governments seem to want to ignore. The Ontario spring was a bit cool, but there was a lot of smoke in the air.
We mourn the passing of the branch’s president-elect, Keith Chang. His acceptance of the position was a positive outcome of our April AGM, but shortly afterwards he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He died in late June. This was sad and unexpected loss to his family and those who knew him. In September your branch board will decide how to proceed with the vacant position. This is a sad reminder of mortality for us all, and makes us think of other past friends and associated.
Since the branch AGM, we have had the Ontario district meeting, and the Association’s AMM. The district meeting involves reps from across Ontario). This meeting makes no decisions: it involves information sharing and sometimes training sessions. Branch viability is a continuing concern, due to the shortage of active members. There was an update on MEDOC, becoming belairdirect travel insurance. While travel to the U.S. (high medical) is down, interprovincial and other international travel is up. This means that medical costs are down but repatriation costs are much higher as most provincial health plans are now stabilizing patients and sending them back to their home province for care and follow up
At the AMM, delegates receive Association financial reports and projections. Federal Retirees is in sound financial condition. Delegates also received reports supporting review of the Association structure, noting problems in the effectiveness and viability of Association branches. District meetings may in the future be more formalized to help branches support each other better. Rotating elections for Association directors were held, and Ted Young was re-elected to another three-year term as an Ontario director..
AMM delegates were told of dramatic developments within Federal Retirees. This involved members leaving the association involuntarily, including the incumbent Association president. Further, the scheduled election of the Association’s president was postponed to November. Privacy issues preclude full disclosure of all circumstances to delegates and the membership, but these events reflect the passion members feel for advocacy of the Associations priorities. Our elected national board acted in the best interests of the Association.
Your York branch board is turning to planning our regular fall meeting of members. This is scheduled for Oct. 21, at the Aurora Legion Hall. The guest speaker is to be confirmed, but we are investigating a presentation on “Your Digital Life for End of Life” by Connected Canadians. Stay tuned!
Our current president, Fred Conway, will represent the branch at the Association’s AMM. There will be news!
10225 Yonge St
Unit R116
Richmond Hill, ON
L4C 3B2
strong>e-mail: federalretirees.york@gmail.com
Website: federalretirees.ca/york
Web Content
We are constantly reviewing and updating our webpage hoping to make it friendlier and allow our readers to quickly search for information about the branch: its activities and the newest published items. Please check out the Latest Updates section to find the most current submission.
Frank Froude
Web Content Editor