The annual general meeting of the Ontario Division of Canadian Pensioners Con-cerned was held April 19, 2010 at Metro Hall, Toronto. President Barbara Kilbourn welcomed members. Christine Mounsteven presented the Jean Woodsworth Award to Dick Moore. In the absence of the President of National CPC, Christine Mounsteven reported that National continues to work with the National Pensioners and Seniors Federation. The concerns of National CPC are the same as those existing in Ontario. Its next AGM will be this fall.

Gerda Kaegi introduced the guest speaker, Judith Wahl, Executive Director for the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE). The Centre is a community legal clinic. Ms. Wahl spoke about Sexuality in Long Term Care Homes - the Legal Issues.

Ms. Wahl, who is a lawyer, outlined the reasons the Centre is doing research on sexuality: Long Term Care Homes are developing policies in respect to sexuality and these may not identify some of the legal issues. There is also concern that a policy will become a "best practice" and not be complete and there is a need to review policies from the point of view of all types of residents. The basic rule is that policies must reflect the legal framework of jurisdiction in which the home operates.

The question arises: what is sex? Some think it is holding hands. Do capable residents in Long Term Care Homes have the right to engage in sexual expression? Consensual sexual activity is generally legal in Canada unless a person does not have the capacity to consent. How to determine capacity? Who determines the capacity? The nurse? The family? When should the assessment take place? Upon entry to the Home? At the time of the activity? What if the couple are married? How to ensure privacy? How to handle unwanted attention?

In addition to services the staff of the Home is responsible to provide a safe and secure environment. So when do they support sexual activity and when do they intervene? How can staff's own biases and moral or value based judgments be averted from affecting the decision?

ACE is often asked to review policies by the Homes and by the government. Hence ACE is trying to find answers to the many questions.

In the afternoon, Gerda Kaegi facilitated a discussion among members about the issues they felt CPC should be looking at in the coming year. Topics raised were:

• Retirement income and the potential for expansion of CPP.
• Strengthening of support for Aging in Place that will help ensure the active engagement of older people in their communities.
• Present data on the social and economic contributions of older people to their communities.
• Housing that is accessible and affordable for all in all parts of the province - urban, rural and remote.
• Taxation - the important role taxation plays in providing the services people and the economy need. A suggestion was made to arrange a public forum on this topic.
• The issue of a living wage; that it is time to renew the discussion of a Guaranteed Annual Income.
• The possibility of looking at an increase in the amount of money that a working person can invest in an RRSP each year.

Christine Mounsteven reported for the Nominating Committee. She thanked retiring director, Derek Chadwick, for his contribution. There are no new names on the slate so far but under the constitution the Board may appoint additional members. Suggestions are welcome. Board members for 2010/2011 are: