- HOOPP continues to monitor change in the healthcare environment – and
to respond to that change when it serves the best interests of our
members. For example, during 2007, we:
- secured the participation of all 14 Local Health
Integration Networks (the new government bodies charged with
planning, integrating and funding healthcare services in Ontario)
- worked with various industry groups to ensure that members
will continue to have access to HOOPP, even as their employment
relationships change due to restructuring
- HOOPP presented a detailed submission to Ontario’s Expert Commission
on Pensions. The commission, which is due to report in 2008, was established
to review Ontario’s pension legislation – with an eye to
supporting the province’s system of defined benefit pension plans.
HOOPP’s submission focused on three key areas of concern: portability
of benefits, funding rules, and the treatment of multi-employer pension
plans (such as HOOPP).
- During 2007, the Plan embarked on a number of
initiatives aimed directly at helping members (and non-members) better
appreciate the value of HOOPP. Specifically, we:
- implemented a formal program designed to increase the number of “informational” interactions
between HOOPP and its stakeholders
- launched an awareness campaign, “Because Life Isn’t
A Fairy Tale,” featuring posters and brochures, to make part-time
workers better aware of the advantages of joining HOOPP – more
than 4,000 posters and brochures were distributed in the first phase
of the campaign
- stepped up efforts to educate governments about the socio-economic
value of defined benefit pension plans
- reached out to new healthcare organizations to ensure they understand
the benefits of offering HOOPP to their employees
- used speaking engagements to develop external awareness of HOOPP
and champion the importance and value of defined benefit pension
plans
- Intent on better addressing members’ changing needs and circumstances,
HOOPP also continued its formal client research program. This program,
which has included focus groups and quarterly surveys, is being used
to measure client satisfaction, improve service levels, and enhance
stakeholder communications.
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