Our Story 1

Three British ladies in Calgary met up, which led to …

The British Pensioners’ Association was incorporated in Alberta…

….the British Pensioners’ Association of Western Canada…

….starts to form….

CABP starts to form in Ontario

…….files to change its name

…….. and the CABP is born…

A Special Information meeting in front of 162 members was held in lieu of an Annual General Meeting announcing the new name and the incorporation of the CABP.

BC amalgamates with CABP but runs its own office in Vancouver as a Branch

“our members feel they had a contract imposed upon them by the British Government to contribute to a pension scheme. They feel that the British Government has completely let them down on this issue”.

– Douglas Ross, CABP

“to take a group of people of equal status in any given situation or circumstance, divide them into two separate sections and treat one more beneficially to the detriment of the other is not only morally wrong but downright dishonest”.

– Mr. A Le Huray,  British Pensioners and Expatriates of Zimbabwe

“They are particularly mad that the British Government, of all the governments in the world, the home of parliaments, can behave in such a despicable manner as to discriminate against people who paid the same contributions but live in different lands”.

– Mr. Richard Corner, World Alliance of British Expatriate Pensioners

“They feel victimised, and they are becoming increasingly angry and disillusioned”.

– Mr. V L Lawrence of Victoria BC

“We are not looking for advantages over anybody, all we are wanting, all we are asking for, is equality”.

– Mr. Brian Havard, British Australian Pensioner Association

A motion committing the Canadian Government to “vigorously pursue” uprated pensions for British pensioners living in Canada was passed in Ottawa. It was a unanimous vote, supported by all parties.

Michael Balchin, is a name familiar to many because of his incarnations with CABP.

Editor of JUSTICE; Managing Editor (who still filled in as editor when needed);

National Board Member;

Director of Communications;
Founding Chair of the re-vitalized Ottawa Chapter (which doubled area membership numbers under his leadership)

Annette Carson, a British pensioner residing in South Africa took the UK government to task. Her lawyers appeared before a London High Court Judge requesting his leave to pursue her case. He agreed, This was our entry level… 

In 2002 Carson brought a legal action against the UK Government seeking Judicial review of its ‘frozen pension’ policy.

“A 61-year-old British woman living in South Africa faces bankruptcy and the loss of her home after the Government obtained an order to make her pay the costs of the test case it won in the High Court last week. Annette Carson went to court to challenge the long-standing policy of the Department for Work and Pensions to freeze pensions for some – but not all – Britons who move overseas“.

CABP Justice 2003 – Special AGM Supplement – the Canadian Government made two significant contributions for the Carson Appeal and closely monitored the hearings.

The appeal was held before the Supreme Court of Judicature Court of Appeal (Civil Division) before Lord Justice Simon Brown, Lord Justice Laws, and Lord Justice Rix which was heard on 17 June 2003. Lord Justice Laws conceded that the current situation was “haphazard”.

Much of the year had been dominated by the Carson Legal Challenge  and preparing for the Appeal in February. 

The Carson appeal was heard by the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords. This appeal was lost by four votes to 1. Lord Carswell provided the dissenting opinion.

Bob’s vision and leadership, coupled with an unswerving belief that nothing is impossible, is the driving force behind the success of Abbeyfield Canada. Congratulations, Bob.

Executive Director, Ian Bold has decided to move on. This is his final contribution.

CABP takes the lead and deposits their file at the ECHR. This was a class action with Annette Carson, 8 applicants from Canada and 4 applicants from Australia.

The CABP invited the British Pensioners Association of Western Canada, the South African Alliance of British Pensioners, and British Pensions in Australia together with the British Australian Pensioners Association and the ICBP was born.

Sheila Telford, President of the British Pensioners’ Association of Western Canada reflects on 2005.

Time to set the pace for the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Class Action plans and more…..

Alan May, CABP Director reaches out to frozen pensioner living in the Falkland Islands. 

Glaswegian Joe Maxwell suggested another possible way for pensioners to obtain an increased pension: Reside back in the UK for one year, receive the uprated pension, then return to Canada where the uprated amount would continue to apply – frozen again, of course, but this time at the higher rate.

Chairman, Tony Bockman, declares 2006 AGM most successful ever

British Australian Pensioners Association (BAPA) – BAPA was set up in 1985 and has long been recognised for its research capabilities on the frozen pensions issue and it is good to see that it can now share that area of expertise with all Consortium partners.

Sandra Reynolds, who was often the helpful voice you heard when you phoned the National Office. Upon retiring in 2001 after 30 years with Ontario Hydro, Sandra became a loyal and vital volunteer at CABP’s HQ and also with the GTA recruiting team. Sandra continued working for you until just nine days before she passed away in June after a valiant struggle with lymphoma.

The key event that happened this quarter was that British Australian Pensioners Association had joined the Consortium which was being led by the CABP who had put together the class action against the British Government.

BC has had a very busy and productive year culminating in the stimulating visit of National Chairman Tony Bockman.

The attendees enjoyed a slide report on the year’s activities at the national level, plus an informative presentation on the status of our journey along the “Road to Strasbourg.” The appreciative audience responded with a collection of over $500 towards CABP’s Action Fund.

The consortium partners had regrouped after the Carson loss in the House of Lords, and they had spent 12 months putting together their milestones on the road to Strasbourg.

Rosalind Tosh, editor of Justice explains..

John Markham volunteers to be “Our man in London”, and to work with the National Pensioners Convention (NPC). John comes with considerable high level international business management experience.

…..with Support of Consortium and National Pensioners Convention

Ken Dearlove has taken over as the new Treasurer at the ICBP, replacing Peter Kennan who is contributing on Fundraising for the CABP….

The CABP had acquired the support of the TUC.    The International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP) was formalised.

…Just a starting point

An American and an Australian, comparing treatment by the UK Government concerning their State pension.

Latest news: Early Day Motions (EDMs); correspondence from CHOGM; John Markham comes home

ICBP officers met with Oliver Letwin, the Minister of State for Policy, at Westminster in 2007:
Charles Poole (South African Alliance of British Pensioners), John Markham, Sheila Telford (Pres, British Pensioners’ Association of Western Canada), Peter Morris (British Australian Pensioner Association), Jim Tilley (British Pensions in Australia) and Tony Bockman (Chair, CABP).

The case was considered in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Fourth Section (Lower Chamber) in Strasbourg. There were 7 Judges, and the result was 6-1 in the UK government’s favour. The dissenting opinion was provided by the President of the Court, Lech Garlicki.

Carson and the 12 other Applicants appealed the decision from the ECHR Fourth Section. The case was heard publicly in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Grand Chamber in Strasbourg. 

The second hearing of the case was heard in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Grand Chamber…

The decision was handed down from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Grand Chamber. The Grand Chamber voted against the applicants in an 11-6 decision.

BPiA, the CABP and the ICBP resolve to keep fighting injustice. We will fight on Moral grounds and also endeavour to show Her Majesty’s Government the economic gain to the UK if UK pensioners living abroad are given pension parity.

John Markham, ICBP’s UK Director of Parliamentary Affairs leads the way with new report – Pension parity: Can the UK government afford it?

John Markham, ICBP Director, meets with Joanne Segars, CEO, National Association of Pension Funds

Communications Plan in the build up to “Hearts and minds engaged in UK” trip…

John Markham and Bernard Jackson hand over the Medals Campaign book of protest to Steve Webb, Pensions Minister outside 10 Downing Street.

Bernard Jackson reflecting on his experience in handing over the Medals Campaign book to Steve Webb.

Alan May has given 18 years of admirable service to the BC Branch of the CABP.

The paper, “Uprating Frozen-Rate Pensions, The Expected Costs and Benefits for HM Treasury“, detailed the findings of a study the CABP had commissioned from Oxford Economics, a blue-chip economic forecasting consultancy headed by a respected former Treasury senior economist.

Captain John Pettitt  discussing Broken Faith with Margaret Wells

Vic Williams, a WWII veteran regaling Margaret Wells with tales of his years of service….

The CABP’s board of directors keeping members fully engaged throughout the meeting.

Disbelief sweeps through the Blackpool delegates on hearing about the effect of the pension freezing policy on their own future plans.

Barbara Lange (seated) was also a volunteer at the last Winnipeg meeting 12 years ago.

Longtime CABP activists Doris Dancer (middle) and Judy Dancer share a special moment with Prince William on Parliament Hill on Canada Day.

(left to right) Margaret Wells, Richard Hart, Brian Lechem, Julia Roles, Alan Ogilvie and Anthony Samotus. Missing from the photo are Tony Bockman, Bernard Jackson, John Markham and Sheila Telford.

Tony Bockman representing Canadian ‘frozen’ pensioners interests at the CHOGM in Perth, Western Australia.

The Costs of ‘Returning Home’: Retirement Migration and Financial Inclusion

Quebec Representative Richard Yates and guest speaker Tony Bockman (CABP Chair) draw a big crowd.

“Our pas de deux with Treasury working group“

Finding new members in Ontario….

John Baird, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs sends an encouraging message to the CABP

How far we have come.…..

Within days of David Cameron being sworn into office in 2010, Prime Minister Stephen Harper raised the matter directly with Britain’s new PM.

Points to raise with your MP

We need the continued support of our Members in the frozen pensions battle.

Petition to The Queen through prose…

Annual General Meeting of the National Corporation and the British Columbia Branch

Sheila Telford and John Markham (right) meet with Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird (left)

Mainlanders and Islanders keep the energy strong…..

At his Calgary Stampede BBQ, CABP Vice-chair Sheila Telford spoke to Prime Minister Stephen Harper about the importance of keeping up pressure on the UK to end pension freezing. Mr. Harper confirmed that he had spoken with British PM David Cameron not long ago.

The head of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), MP Russ Hiebert met this summer with CABP-BC representatives to discuss the frozen pensions issue.

Bob McMullan, one of the co-founders of CABP in the early 1980s was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal acknowledging his outstanding achievements.

The ICBP was finally incorporated

Our online campaign to end frozen pensions has received top honours in a Europe-wide competition. The International Consortium of British Pensioners came first in the Public Affairs category of the European Digital Communications Awards

Following quickly on the heels of the Australian Government openly supporting us, Canada follows suit. 

The Battle of Britain was fought over 60 years ago. Now the CABP is fighting for all pensioners whose State Pensions is frozen.

 Sheila’s first monthly newsletter

This poignant image of a British veteran forced to live on a frozen state pension was sent to UK MPs, peers and media in December. A similar message was also delivered to MPs in Ottawa. Many CABP members who received the message by email forwarded it on to all their email contacts and to their former MPs in the UK.

“If you think you are entitled to a British pension, this organisation can help you“

The CABP Chairman sends out her second newsletter 

The CABP now has members in 18 countries on six continents…. 

Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners Television Commercial SportsNet 2013.

The Chairman sends our her third newsletter

Be Sure to Visit our Booth to Find out More About our Great Products
and Services.

Come on down and have fun with hundreds of other
Boomers with Zip!!!

The CABP and ICBP get to work on the Eastleigh (Hampshire) by-election…

The Chairman sends out her fourth newsletter

Deadline for submitting comments on the white paper entitled The single-tier pension – a simple foundation for saving

The Chairman sends out her next newsletter

Les Harrington, Treasurer of the BC Branch, has retired after 15 plus years

The Annual General Meeting in pictures…

The BC Branch AGM report…

Imagine if you lived in Yorkshire, and you decided that you wanted to “emigrate” and retire to live in Brighton. What would you do if the Government told you that by moving to Brighton, you would lose the annual increase to your state pension…

The House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee reviews our comments…

CABP Chairman Sheila Telford never misses an opportunity to remind the Prime Minister of the plight of ‘frozen’ pensioners in Canada

“Tony Bockman, who recently retired as chairman of the International Consortium of British Pensioners and as a director of CABP, has been nothing short of an inspiration to a great many people.“

– Justice #3 2013

Jacqueline, whose friendly telephone voice throughout the past ten years came to represent CABP for so many members will be greatly missed. We thank her for her many years of outstanding service.

CABP’s Poster Girl, Anne Puckridge

The CABP go on the road again…

Ian Andexser and the team Keeping the Pacific Province Strong.

The CABP Public Service Announcement……..

Sheila Telford hands over the Chair position to David Morris

Vic Williams makes an impassioned appeal to the British Prime Minister: “Please don’t abandon us any longer“.

Public information meeting…

Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 114

36 Upper Middle Road East

Oakville, Ontario

L6H 7M1

The British Pensioners of Western Canada (aka the BC Branch) completed their merger with the CABP (aka National Branch) …

1st April saw the very successful launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pensions Reform in the Commonwealth Association Room in the House of Commons. Sheila Telford, Dave Morris and Brian Leggett from the CABP and ICBP were there.

Shout-out to frozen pensioners in Quebec

Cedar Park United Church

204, Lakeview Avenue

Pointe-Claire, Quebec

H9S 4C5

Shout-out to frozen pensioners in Bolton, Ontario….

Public Information Meeting

The Exchange, in the plaza

55 Healey Road

Bolton, Ontario

L7E 5A5

(South of King Street)

The CABP announce the winner in their 2014 ‘Refer a New  Member Contest’ – Richard and Dee Barclay from Nanaimo,  BC.

A new  Apple  IPad  Air  tablet  computer  is  on  its  way to  the  Barclay  home.

Members  who  referred new  members  to the CABP  were  allotted a  ballot  for  the  draw during  our  contest from  April  to early June  2014.   Richard and Dee’s ballot was  drawn at our  2014 AGM.

The ‘New Member Referral Contest’ is  one  way  that  the CABP increases their membership. Watch out for the next contest – you could be the winner!

Imagine a conversation between the current Prime Minister and Sir Humphrey……

Anne Puckridge, a veteran, interviewed on Sky TV regarding frozen pensions for Remembrance Day 2014.

Two radio commercials 

Come and see our booth at the Totally British Festival.

Bring any UK friends and find out their UK Pension eligibility !

May 16/17, 2015 at the Hamilton Convention Centre in downtown Hamilton

The CABP provided research for this CBC Vancouver radio program….

John Markham, Chairman of the ICBP, says he hopes the Liberals will help negotiate a better deal on their UK State Pension.

Beban Park Recreation Centre,

2300 Bowen Park, Nanaimo.

BC V9T 3K7

Registration starts at 1pm

BBC Radio 4’s Program, “You and Yours” had a segment on ‘Frozen’ Pensioners.

BBC Radio 4’s Program, “You and Yours” had a segment on ‘Frozen’ Pensioners.

Anne Puckridge is interviewed by the BBC regarding Frozen Pensions.

Anne Puckridge delivers petition to 10 Downing Street, with more than 200,000 signatures on it.

Actress Miriam Margoyles speaks out against the frozen UK state pension.

Sir John Colborne Centre,

1565 Old Lakeshore Road

Oakville, ON.

L6L 6N1

Bernard was a World War II hero. He emigrated from the UK to Canada in 1987 and found that his UK state pension was frozen immediately. For the next 30 odd years he waged a battle against the UK Government and their discriminatory and inequitable frozen pensions policy.

Interview with Inez Minc (97) from  Australia and Anne Puckridge (95) from Canada before 75th anniversary of VE Day.