History

A History of Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario

1977 - April 26

Hon. Sid Handleman, Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, signs the letters patent creating the Ontario Municipal Retirees Organization (OMRO), with its head office in London, Ontario. Initial directors are Thomas Gagen, Orton Logan, Reginald Cooper, Eva Dann, Frank Christie (NOTE: the name of the Organization was changed in 1991 from OMRO to the Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario, MROO)

1979

Alliance established between OMRO and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario Division, via CUPE Ontario’s Pension Committee
CUPE Ontario Division provides for an OMRO rep (must be former CUPE member) on its board

1980

OMRO receives New Horizons grant

1981

OMRO’s first letter to all members; claims credit for OMERS making a 4% inflation increase to 1981 pensions
Office relocated to Toronto – office support provided by CUPE Ontario
First OMRO membership meeting – held in Owen Sound
OMERS convenes open meetings for members across the Province; OMRO directors attend
First discussion by OMRO Board of need for retiree extended health insurance coverage, due to high cost of retiree coverage and inability of employer plans to extend coverage to retirees. Discussion considered asking OMERS to offer retiree health plan but concluded that OMERS’ focus should be on pension benefit enhancements at that point

1982

OMRO Board asked to make presentation to Ontario Legislature Committee on Pensions on review of Pension Benefits Act
Board and Mercer HR Benefits Consulting discuss possibility of health insurance program for municipal retirees
OMERS sends out letter to all OMERS pensioners soliciting membership in OMRO

1983

OMRO Board formally requests OMERS Board to sponsor and administer a health insurance program for OMERS retirees. OMERS Board declines, but offers to work with OMRO to promote and help develop an OMRO retiree health insurance program (see 1984)
Citadel Insurance selected as principal of health insurance plan for OMERS retirees

1984

OMRO first asks Ontario Government to add an OMRO nominee to the OMERS Board to represent pensioners (see 1992)
OMERS sends letter to all 13,000 OMERS pensioners outlining new OMRO insurance plan
OMRO expresses its disappointment to federal and Ontario governments that they had failed to expand the CPP (see 2010)

1985

OMRO directors hold first series of OMRO zone meetings, beginning in Cornwall, with logistical support from CUPE locals

1986

OMRO Board again requests that an OMRO appointee be added to the OMERS Board

1987

Don MacLeod elected President
OMRO mails out first newsletter to all its 7,000 members
OMRO Insurance program expands its automatic acceptance period from 60 to 90 days

1988

OMRO Board considers requests to extend its retiree health insurance to hospital pensioners (non-OMERS)
OMRO endorses home and auto insurance program; promotional material mailed to all 27,000 OMERS pensioners by OMERS

1989

OMRO presents first pensions seminar sponsored by CUPE Ontario
OMRO meets with Minister of Municipal Affairs to request pensioner position on OMERS Board; Minister requests three resumes from OMRO
First cross-province series of OMRO zone meetings held in fall
Convalescent care insurance introduced
Separate OMRO office established
OMRO newsletter mailed out to all OMERS pensioners by OMERS
OMRO Directors arrange OMERS retiree information sessions in Chatham, Port Dover and Markdale

1990

OMRO objects to federal government proposal to accelerate clawback of OAS pensions (won) and to introduction of the GST (lost)
OMRO contacts MPPs to request a pensioner on OMERS Board
Annual membership fee raised from $2 to $5, in addition to $25 lifetime fee
First annual budget adopted by OMRO Board

1991 - March 21

At OMERS’ request, the organization amends Letters Patent to change name to Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario (MROO)
1-800 number initiated
MROO Newsletter mailing to all 43,000 OMERS pensioners by agreement with OMERS
MROO reps meet with Hon. Dave Cooke re: 100% OMERS inflation protection and MROO rep on OMERS Board
Citadel Insurance business (including MROO health plan policies) bought out by North American Life Insurance Company

1992

MROO-endorsed home and auto insurance switched to Mitchell & Abbott Group
Realignment of zones into eight zones based on population
MROO opposes Ontario Government proposal to require pension fund investment in public projects
MROO invited to Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) annual conference for first time
MROO nominee Don Ross appointed to OMERS Board
MROO adopts $25 lifetime membership fee

1993

MROO provides advice to OMERS regarding early retirement options under “Social Contract” public sector restraint
MROO joins Congress of Union Retirees Canada (CURC)
MROO adopts standardized Spring schedule of cross-province zone meetings, so that director elections take place before the annual meeting of the Board

1994

MROO Newsletter gets new name, “Members Reporter,” and regular three-times-yearly publication schedule
MROO June newsletter sent by OMERS to all OMERS pensioners – 800 new members join MROO
Active MROO membership reaches 14,300 members
MROO health plan has 8,300 policyholders
MROO participates in discussions about possible changes to OMERS Board structure

1995

OMERS restricts access to OMERS mailings: OMERS will notify new pensioners (one info sheet about MROO and a separate info sheet about MROO health plan) and list pensioner organizations annually in OMERS newsletter. OMERS no longer permits MROO to participate in new retiree seminars without employer consent
MROO office moves from the premises of CUPE Ontario to the premises of AMCTO

1996

MROO represented at conferences of AMCTO, CURC, CUPE Ontario, Ontario Association of School Business Officials (OASBO), Police Association, Firefighters Association, OMERS stakeholder meetings
MROO communicates to governments about Canada Pension Plan, Ontario Drug Benefit, building code requirements for handicapped access, public sector compensation restraint, auto insurance regulations, changes to OMERS pension benefits
North American Life (including MROO Health plan policies) acquired by Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife)

1997

MROO submits suggestions to OMERS regarding possible retiree benefits from OMERS’ actuarial surplus; presents eight-point proposal, particularly emphasizing permanent 100% indexing, increased spousal survivor pension, and reduced CPP offset
MROO participates in discussions regarding OMERS governance (see 2006)
MROO Convalescent Care plan initiated

1998

MROO heads protest against OMERS decision to manage its surplus by means of a contribution holiday without commensurate improvements for pensioners
9,000 MROO members respond to “Pension Alert” from MROO about lack of pensioner benefits from OMERS surplus
MROO forms part of “Coalition for Pension Fairness,” involving all OMERS pensioner organizations, seeking: pensioner benefits from OMERS surplus, more pensioner appointments to OMERS Board, OMERS governance autonomous from Province
MROO decides not to endorse any out-of-province travel insurance
Board decides not to cover Viagra under MROO health plan
MROO Treasurer Dick McIntosh appointed to OMERS Board

1999

MROO advocates improvements in OMERS’ CPP offset formula, and indexing using Ontario CPI
MROO website established

2000

MROO asks Province to include PSA test under OHIP
MROO encourages OMERS and Province to establish a stakeholder process to design autonomous OMERS structure

2001

MROO submits position paper on OMERS governance structure

2002

MROO receives reports on market downturn’s impact on OMERS, end of contribution holiday, impossibility of reducing the CPP offset

2003

First MROO strategic planning day
Board discussions about limiting the term of directors and executive members (see 2009)
MROO expresses concerns to the Province about public/private partnerships to operate hospitals
MROO expresses concern to Province about rumoured means-testing of Ontario Drug Benefit

2004

Board asks OMERS about any future plans to offer retiree health benefits (no action by OMERS)

2005

MROO Zone 2 Director Richard Faber appointed to OMERS Board
MROO submits brief to the Province on Bill 206, the OMERS Act
Don MacLeod and Dick McIntosh present MROO position to the Standing Committee of Ontario Legislature studying Bill 206

2006

MROO scholarship program initiated: one scholarship per zone at $1,000 per zone. Eligible students are entering first year at university or college

MROO nominates Richard Faber as retiree rep on OMERS Administration Corporation (AC) Board
MROO nominates Glen Mills as retiree rep on OMERS Sponsors Corporation (SC) Board

2007

First MROO Scholarships are distributed in Ontario.
Zone structure reconfigured to add zone 9 (central Ontario)
Agreement with police and fire retiree organizations on selection procedure for reps to OMERS boards
Out-of-province travel health insurance option introduced as part of MROO health plan

2008

MROO ambassador concept initiated
MROO Board and alternates undertake new strategic plan
MROO brief and presentation to the Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions (Harry Arthurs)

2009

Constitution amended to provide staggered terms for directors (three of the nine zones have elections each year) and term limits
Number of scholarships increased to two per zone at $1,000 each
MROO retirement planning seminars initiated for soon-to-retire employees in smaller municipalities. Phil Hollins engaged to deliver seminars. First seminars in Rideau Lakes and Napanee
Richard Faber appointed to AC Board via new procedure
Board identifies three advocacy priorities – OMERS, pensions and retirement income, seniors’ homecare and independent living

2010

Scholarship program changed to one per zone at $2,000 each. Eligible students are entering second year of college or university
Paul Bailey appointed retiree rep on OMERS SC Board
Newsletter expands from 8 to 12 pages
MROO submits detailed position paper to the Federal Department of Finance Consultation on the adequacy of Canada’s retirement income system

MROO submits detailed position paper to Ontario Ministry of Finance in response to “Securing Our Retirement Future” discussion paper

2011

Scholarship program changed to two per zone at $2,000 each for students entering second year of college or university
MROO invited to introduce the organization at OMERS retiree information sessions
After 25 years as MROO President, our organization builder Don MacLeod hands over the President reins to Bill Harford. Don remains on the Executive Committee as Past President.

2012

Scholarship program adds $5,000 Don MacLeod Leadership Award
MROO Board and alternates update strategic plan; deliver rebranding task force report; confirm advocacy priorities
Brief and presentation delivered to Tony Dean re: review of OMERS governance
MROO membership surpasses 15,000
MROO health plan policies surpass 7,800; over 1,700 policyholders also have annual travel insurance option; number of people covered by MROO health plan exceeds 10,000
MROO annual budget surpasses $600,000
25 retirement planning seminars held since 2009
Record number of scholarship applications (92)
Website content updated and expanded

2015

Following an interview process David Tsubouchi is appointed as the retiree rep to the OMERS AC board
Long-time MROO Treasurer Glen Mills (14 years in the role) advises he will be stepping down in 2016 allowing us time to recruit a successor

2016

MROO’s new website launched in early 2016
MROO’s 2016-2018 strategic plan is approved by the Board
After years of lobbying, MROO gets an assist as members with non-locked-in funds in OMERS AVC can now keep them with OMERS past age 71
Penny Allen assumes the Treasurer and Executive Committee role

2017

MROO celebrates its 40th anniversary by doubling the scholarship bursary to $4,000 for 9 of the 25 recipients
Loblaws Optical (now Theodore & Pringle Optical) partners with MROO to give discounts to our members
Zone 2 tops the attendance mark for zone meetings with 275 MROO members and partners

2018

Scholarships of $2,500 are awarded to 29 students entering the second year of post-secondary education as well as the $5,000 Don MacLeod leadership award
Board approves a new three-year strategic plan for 2019-2021
MROO hosts a record number of 31 pre-retirement seminars
MROO’s first Executive Director Bill Winegard steps down after 14 years and is succeeded by Dan Carnegie

2019

MROO membership tops 23,000
Three new pre-retirement seminar leaders are recruited to help expand the program and succeed long-time facilitator Phil Hollins who is stepping down
MROO health plan policies surpass 12,000; over 5,000 policyholders also have annual travel insurance option
New website launches in the summer of 2019

2020

MROO membership hits 25,000 members
Gerry Davis replaces Penny Allen as MROO Treasurer
MROO donates over $63,000 to foodbanks and shelters across the province to assist with needs created by COVID-19
A record number of scholarships are granted. In addition, the MROO board approves giving all unsuccessful scholarship applicants $500 to help towards school, given the shortage of student employment
Bill Harford completes the maximum nine-year term as President and is replaced by Keith Robicheau
Ken Noakes replaces Dan Carnegie as Executive Director
In 2020 MROO established a Housing Support for Seniors Housing Committee to develop a strategy for Long Term Care housing in Ontario and advocate for other housing options for seniors.

2021

MROO membership hits 32,000+ members
In June 2021, the Board of Directors elected Cindy Snider, Director Zone 9, as Vice President and Jackie Forsey, Director Zone 5, as Board Secretary
Patrice Cawood joins MROO as Administration Manager
MROO donates over $63,000 to foodbanks and shelters across the province to assist with needs created by COVID-19
MROO awards 73 Student Scholarships valued at $99,000 to Ontario students, including 29 Scholarships valued at $2,500 each
Jude Kahn joins MROO as Marketing, PR and Communications Manager
MROO's HSOS Committee advocates for a better Long-Term Care strategy in Ontario and sends multiple letters to the Minister of Long-Term Care

2022

MROO awards 38 Student Scholarships valued at $100,000 to Ontario students as part of the Annual MROO Scholarship Program.
In April, MROO hosts its first virtual All-Zone meeting with special guest André Picard, journalist at the Globe and Mail.
MROO runs an online member survey and receives over 1500 responses from current MROO Members.
In November, Mabel Smith joins MROO as Administrative Assistant

2023

MROO awards 44 scholarships to post-secondary students in Ontario. A grand total of $134,000 as part of the Annual MROO Scholarship Program
MROO announces new cell phone partnership with Red Wireless / Rogers.
MROO announces first new MROO Targeted Scholarship with Carleton University. The new Targeted Scholarship will focus on graduate students (MA or PhD) studying aging. MROO’s first targeted scholarship was awarded to Orleans, Ontario, native, Aidan Lochbiler. Aidan is completing his Masters of Science degree studying Computer Engineering with a specialization in Data Science at Carleton University.
In November 2023, MROO hosted a virtual All-Zone Meeting with special guest Dr. Riley Moynes author of The Four Phases of Retirement.
MROO lost Past President of MROO Don MacLeod. Don passed away on December 4, 2023, at the age of 93. Don leaves behind an amazing legacy at MROO. Find out more here.
In memory of Don MacLeod and his wife Audrey MacLeod, and in honour of Don’s tremendous contributions to the organization, MROO made a $5,000 donation to the Alzheimer's Society of Ontario.
MROO membership hits 35,000+ members

2024

MROO awards 37 scholarships to post-secondary students across Ontario. A total of $113, 000 was distributed for the Annual MROO Scholarship Program.
MROO announces a new Targeted Scholarship with Lakehead University. The first recipient is May Remenda who lives in Thunder Bay (from Nipigon, Ontario) and completed a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Gerontology.
In the Spring of 2024, MROO distributed both print and digital Member Surveys. Over 3000 digital surveys were completed.
In March, MROO announced a new partner with Specsavers Canada - offering MROO members eyecare and eyeglasses at various stores across Ontario.
In November, MROO announced a new partnership with Connected Canadians to offer free one-on-one online technology training and support for MROO Members.
MROO Membership hits 39,000+ members.
In November 2024, MROO hosted a virtual All-Zone Meeting with special guest Ms. Shirlee Sharkey.