Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, August 20, 2026, written by Rotarian Linda NR.

President Olaf chaired the meeting.

There was a winner this week for the Toonie Quest 50/50 draw with the winnings being more than $6000. Linda thanked all volunteers for their extra time and effort associated with the count and 40+ new players.

Rotarian Linda NR introduced Isabelle Bouge.

Isabelle Bouge works with the Services Canada Community Outreach and Liaison team (COLS). She is bilingual and is based in Corner Brook, covering western Newfoundland from St. Anthony to Port-aux Basques. (A disclaimer was offered that her presentation today was today’s reality and that changes might be forthcoming).

Isabelle and four other community outreach colleagues are expanding Services in Labrador, Central and Eastern Newfoundland, and St. John’s are expanding Service Canada’s reach by visiting communities across the province, particularly those with limited access to in-person service locations. They focus on building relationships with community organizations and partners to reach people who might otherwise not have access to programs and benefits.

A list of programs and benefits was provided including Employment Insurance, Maternity Benefits, Care Giver Benefits (you do not have to be related...), SINs, Job Banks, CPP & OAS, the Dental Plan, Canada Disability Benefits (different here because NL has also launched a disability benefit - many are lacking information and people can apply for both), Indigenous programs & services, Newcomer programs, Passports, and many more.

Isabelle highlighted the important difference between Canadian Revenue Services and Services Canada. These are two different AGENCIES. She stated the importance of filing an Income Tax even when there is no income, benefits will be missed if not done! 

She cited an example of a lesser-known benefit, that being Childrearing provisions. (If you stopped working or received lower earnings to raise your children, you may be able to use the CPP’s “child rearing provisions” to increase the value of your CPP benefits). People questioning their entitlement to benefits were encouraged to use the Canada.ca website and NOT Google!

Then at the direction of Rotarians, Isabelle focused on the December 2023 enacted Canadian Dental Care Plan. She stated to qualify four requirements must be met. Applicants have 1. no access to dental insurance, 2. filed an income tax return, 3. an adjusted family income of less than $90.000, and 4. Canadian citizenship. She further stated there were three levels of coverage: 1. No co-payment if family income < $70,000, 2. 40% co-payment >$70,000 to $99,000, 3. 60% co-payment > $99,000. Applicants must apply online Canada.ca/dental or call 1-833-537-4342. Once a determination has been made applicants will receive a welcome letter from Sun Life. It is important to note that this benefit must be renewed yearly. 

In addition to making many handouts available, Isabelle stated that because of time she would send information to Olaf and Linda should Rotarians be interested in a specific benefit.  Isabelle was thanked by Verbon for her very informative talk.