The Royal Canadian Legion would appreciate if the letter below be publicized as widely as possible. 6 May 2008 File: 82-7-2 The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, P.C., M.P. Minister of National Defence National Defence Headquarters 101 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2   Dear Minister Mackay: I would like to share with you my grave concerns about an issue of fairness regarding the claw-back of a portion of the Canadian Forces Superannuation (CFSA) benefits when a retired Service member starts collecting Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits at age 65. As you are aware, this issue has been and continues to be discussed at length in various fora, including Parliamentary and Senate committees. From a Legion perspective, the issue is simple. Canadian Forces (CF) members are special Canadians who volunteer under exceptional terms of unlimited liability to serve their country and, in doing so, put their lives at risk. CF members were never asked if they wanted a "stacked approach" to CFSA and CPP benefits. It is acknowledged that the implementation concept was explained with the CPP introduction in 1966, but the reality is that the "stacked approach" has not resulted in a fair and equitable pension return to military personnel. Under normal circumstances, as in private industry, the combined separate CPP and Defined Benefit Plan rates as paid by employees rarely exceeds that rate paid by Service members for their CFSA plan. But, these civilian employees receive their CPP benefits in addition to those paid under their Defined Benefit plans. This is not the case with Service personnel. The claw-back of a portion of the member's Superannuation benefit at age 65 is unfair and imposes a burden on many of those who depend fully on their pensions including any additional CPP benefit that would normally have been obtained. Moreover, the exceptionally high CFSA contribution rate paid by Service members has resulted in plan surpluses which have not been shared with the members. The situation is compounded by the forced payment of Unemployment Insurance during the member's career with no authority to draw the insurance on retirement. Another injustice. I urge you to speak up for the many loyal and devoted veterans of the Canadian Forces who have dedicated their lives to the service and defence of Canada and who now face this demeaning and unfair reduction in superannuation. The payment of CPP should not be considered as a plug to fill the claw-back gap but as an additional benefit which has been paid for in contribution rates and earned in unparallel service. The cancellation of the CFSA claw-back at age 65 would be welcomed most gratefully by serving personnel and veterans alike and would reflect your government's high esteem, respect and gratitude for their commitment and years of loyal service.  Sincerely,  Jack Frost, Dominion President cc: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C. Prime Minister The Honourable Greg Thompson, P.C. M.P. * * * * * * * * * Members of Parliament email addresses: http://www.yayacanada.com/MPs.html

I have these two pictures, one from the Trooping of the Colours 1 July 1959 and the changing of the Guard in July 1959. The JPegs might be a bit larger then normal but probably better for viewing. The Trooping is a digital copy of the original which is 16 X 20. Some of the readers might like to see these as we get closer to the 50th Anniversary. Karl Filipps (See P61 Pegimental History)