CARP (Canada)

CARP, formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of adults 45 and over. The organization states that its purpose is to promote social change in order to bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination to its members.

Issues

CARP has been active in disseminating information regarding the American legislation Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, and the Canadian agreement, FATCA agreement between Canada and the United States, which impacts directly many Canadians.[1]

CARP also participated in the debates around pensions and seniors driving.[2][3][4][5][6]

Organization background and community

CARP is modeled after one of the biggest lobby groups in the world, the American Association of Retired Persons, but it has been independent since its foundation in 1983.

CARP was founded in Toronto by Lillian and Murray Morgenthau in 1985. CARP claims over 400,000 members across Canada.[7]

CARP’s chapter network has grown rapidly and now tops 50, spanning the country from Victoria, British Columbia, to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. CARP Chapters provide a venue for like-minded "Zoomer" men and women to meet and socialize, share ideas and experiences, and contribute to the community.

Chapters also serve as important local sounding boards for its advocacy efforts, identifying local and regional issues and helping its national advocacy team to make sure policy recommendations accurately reflect what is happening and needed at ground level for its members. Chapters operate independently, with volunteer boards responsible for recruiting new members and developing engaging programs and activities.

The national office provides policy direction and operational assistance. Chapter membership is diverse, with a wide range of ages, backgrounds and interests. CARP continues to receive requests for help in setting up new chapters and is working aggressively to extend the CARP footprint into more and more communities.

Moses Znaimer was elected President of the Association during the Annual General Meeting in 2009. Znaimer is also CEO of Zoomer Media Limited, which provides back office, IT, marketing and media services to CARP, an obvious conflict of interest. ZoomerMedia[8] also publishes Zoomer Magazine, previously titled CARP Magazine, two Toronto radio stations: CFMZ-FM Classical 96 and CFZM Zoomer Radio AM740 and 96.7FM, as well as VisionTV Zoomer Television, Joytv, HopeTV, and One.

Conflict of interest

Despite the nonprofit core of CARP, observers have noted a cluster of affiliated for-profit businesses: a travel agency, a dating site, and Fifty-Plus.Net International Inc.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Letter from Minister Flaherty. http://www.carp.ca/2012/06/15/minister-flaherty-canada-continues-to-press-for-fair-tax-deal-with-united-states/
  2. ↑ National Post. "Stop the Music! CARP Speaks".
  3. ↑ Financial Post. "CARP defends itself against critics".
  4. ↑ Cain, Solana. "Accent: Sudbury seniors defend driving abilities". Sudbury Star.
  5. ↑ Lu, Vanessa. "Canadians heading for a retirement income crisis". The Hamilton Spectator.
  6. ↑ Stricker, Laura. "Province offers Sudbury a plum budget. Sudbury Star".
  7. ↑ Financial Post. "CARP defends itself against critics".
  8. ↑ Media Innovator Moses Znaimer Consolidates Voice For Zoomer Generation, Moses Znaimer press release, February 28, 2008
  9. ↑ Financial Post. "CARP defends itself against critics".

External links

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