No Hayes at retired teachers debate

NEWS RELEASE

RETIRED TEACHERS OF ONTARIO

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District 3 Algoma of the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO/ERO) is hosting a Candidates for MP (Sault Ste. Marie) Meeting on Thursday, October 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Seniors’ Drop-in Centre on Bay Street in Sault Ste. Marie.

The focus of the meeting will be on seniors’ issues and RTO/ERO will be joined by three other groups: Chapter 15 of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), the Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma Seniors Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) and the Algoma Branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees (NAFR).

The election is of great importance to older adults who make up a growing percentage of our population.

Topics to be addressed include poverty among seniors, health care and pensions.

All candidates of the four major parties were invited to participate; however, unfortunately one candidate will not be present.

Bryan Hayes, Conservative candidate, replied to organizers through his press secretary that “Mr. Hayes will not be able to attend your event. Our debate schedule has already been determined and we have set which candidate debates in which we will participate.”

Although it is not a debate, those attending the event will have a good opportunity to hear from Kara Flannigan (Green Party), Skip Morrison (NDP) and Terry Sheehan (Liberal) on their respective party’s platform regarding seniors’ issues.

The general public is invited to attend in order to make an informed vote on Monday, October 19.

The Retired Teachers of Ontario- District 3 Algoma represent almost 1100 members in Algoma.

Together the four seniors’ groups represent more than 2000 voters in Algoma.

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(PHOTO: Skip Morrison, Kara Flannigan, Terry Sheehan and Bryan Hayes are pictured during a Chamber of Commerce panel in this September, 2015 file photo. Donna Hopper/SooToday)