Article & Images Submitted by Lise Guignard, Office Manager, NBSCF
For over 57 years, the NBSCF has served as the collective voice of all seniors in New Brunswick. Founded by seniors for seniors, it has become a cornerstone in protecting rights, improving quality of life, and ensuring that seniors’ concerns are heard by all levels of government.
Our role is simple but essential: to make sure seniors are respected, supported, and included in a society that is constantly changing.
Our Mission
To enhance the quality of life of New Brunswick seniors by addressing their needs and advocating for their rights and interests.
Our Mandate: What we do every day
Government advocacy: regular meetings with ministers, MLAs, and officials to influence decisions on health, housing, income, transportation, and protection.
Support to local clubs: providing information, training, practical tools, and assistance with local initiatives.
Education & prevention: information sessions and workshops on fraud prevention, health, leadership, deprescribing, and much more.
Strategic partnerships: collaborations with health networks, community organizations, and provincial/national senior associations.
Consulting seniors: because your voices, needs and priorities guide our actions.
For over 57 years, the NBSCF has served as the collective voice of all seniors in New Brunswick. Founded by seniors for seniors, it has become a cornerstone in protecting rights, improving quality of life, and ensuring that seniors’ concerns are heard by all levels of government.
Our role is simple but essential: to make sure seniors are respected, supported, and included in a society that is constantly changing.
Our Mission
To enhance the quality of life of New Brunswick seniors by addressing their needs and advocating for their rights and interests.
Our Mandate: What we do every day
Government advocacy: regular meetings with ministers, MLAs, and officials to influence decisions on health, housing, income, transportation, and protection.
Support to local clubs: providing information, training, practical tools, and assistance with local initiatives.
Education & prevention: information sessions and workshops on fraud prevention, health, leadership, deprescribing, and much more.
Strategic partnerships: collaborations with health networks, community organizations, and provincial/national senior associations.
Consulting seniors: because your voices, needs and priorities guide our actions.
Our Provincial Involvement
In addition to these activities, the NBSCF is deeply involved in several committees and alliances that shape public policy.
Lise Guignard, Office Manager, and/or Alphonse Dionne, President, serve on:
• The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) with Horizon and Vitalité Health Networks
• The New Brunswick Health Coalition
• The Long-Term Care Seniors’ Partners consultation group with Lyne Chantal Boudreau, Minister responsible for Seniors and Cindy Miles, Minister of Social Development
• Community Partners with the Red Cross This active participation ensures that seniors’ voices are present in all major provincial discussions on health, housing and social services, keeping your priorities at the forefront.
Our Core Values
Respect • Dignity • Inclusion • Bilingualism • Transparency • Collaboration • Non-partisan
Why Your Membership Matters
Joining the NBSCF is more than paying a fee. It gives us:
Strength in numbers - the larger our membership, the stronger our voice with government.
Continuity - without us, many gains could be lost. Every change in government means rebuilding trust. Membership gives us the legitimacy to ensure continuity.
Direct support to clubs - your local clubs benefit directly from provincial support including resources, training, visibility, programs and financial advantages.
Some Concrete Achievements
1. Free hospital visits (all New Brunswickers now benefit)
2. Property tax rebates (for low-income New Brunswickers)
3. Construction and improvement of nursing homes, special care homes, etc.
4. Guaranteed Income Supplement (for low-income seniors)
5. Increased hours of care per patient in nursing homes (We're still working on it)
6. Passports now available for 10 years
7. Low-income housing for New Brunswick seniors (We want more!)
8. The New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program
9. $616 allowance (for low-income seniors)
10. Financial assistance and advice to modify your home so that it is safer, accessible, and comfortable as you age.
11. Only income is counted when a patient is admitted to a nursing home (your assets - money, investments, house, cottage, vehicle, etc. - remain yours and are not counted in your rent calculation).
12. Enhanced home support services (we are still working on this).
13. We have benefited from free ambulance service for several years. Currently, the service is still free for those receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
14. Discounts on home, auto, and travel insurance programs.
15. Educational sessions based on the New Horizons for Seniors program on leadership, fraud awareness, deprescribing, and many other topics, offered across the province.
16. Discounts available at select hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, and stores across the province.
17. Return the limit on prescriptions from 30 to 90 days during the pandemic.
18. Make the high-dose flu vaccine available and free for seniors 65+, and RSV for 75+ (this was approved in the 2025-2026 budget).
19. The creation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
20. Seniors applying for financial assistance only need to sign an authorization for the province to obtain their last two tax returns from the CRA. Previously, they had to access that information themselves.
21. Cooling/warming centers: particularly in rural areas (for extreme weather)
FAQ – Answers to Common Questions
“What do we gain?”
Tools, support, visibility, and a united voice to push forward important issues.
“We’re too small, not enough members.”
That’s exactly why NBSCF exists — to strengthen your capacity and support your recruitment. You only need 5 people to become a club, and the Federation has nearly 12,000 members.
“We don’t like politics.”
We are non-partisan. Our role is to defend your rights and simplify access to programs, no matter who is in government.
“Is $10 really worth it?”
Yes. That small amount fuels advocacy, programs, and real results for all seniors across New Brunswick.
Membership 2026
Only $10 per person – a small amount for big results!
For more information, call Lise at the provincial office at 1-800-453-4333.
The NBSCF is YOUR voice. Together, let’s make it resonate even louder!
In addition to these activities, the NBSCF is deeply involved in several committees and alliances that shape public policy.
Lise Guignard, Office Manager, and/or Alphonse Dionne, President, serve on:
• The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) with Horizon and Vitalité Health Networks
• The New Brunswick Health Coalition
• The Long-Term Care Seniors’ Partners consultation group with Lyne Chantal Boudreau, Minister responsible for Seniors and Cindy Miles, Minister of Social Development
• Community Partners with the Red Cross This active participation ensures that seniors’ voices are present in all major provincial discussions on health, housing and social services, keeping your priorities at the forefront.
Our Core Values
Respect • Dignity • Inclusion • Bilingualism • Transparency • Collaboration • Non-partisan
Why Your Membership Matters
Joining the NBSCF is more than paying a fee. It gives us:
Strength in numbers - the larger our membership, the stronger our voice with government.
Continuity - without us, many gains could be lost. Every change in government means rebuilding trust. Membership gives us the legitimacy to ensure continuity.
Direct support to clubs - your local clubs benefit directly from provincial support including resources, training, visibility, programs and financial advantages.
Some Concrete Achievements
1. Free hospital visits (all New Brunswickers now benefit)
2. Property tax rebates (for low-income New Brunswickers)
3. Construction and improvement of nursing homes, special care homes, etc.
4. Guaranteed Income Supplement (for low-income seniors)
5. Increased hours of care per patient in nursing homes (We're still working on it)
6. Passports now available for 10 years
7. Low-income housing for New Brunswick seniors (We want more!)
8. The New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program
9. $616 allowance (for low-income seniors)
10. Financial assistance and advice to modify your home so that it is safer, accessible, and comfortable as you age.
11. Only income is counted when a patient is admitted to a nursing home (your assets - money, investments, house, cottage, vehicle, etc. - remain yours and are not counted in your rent calculation).
12. Enhanced home support services (we are still working on this).
13. We have benefited from free ambulance service for several years. Currently, the service is still free for those receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
14. Discounts on home, auto, and travel insurance programs.
15. Educational sessions based on the New Horizons for Seniors program on leadership, fraud awareness, deprescribing, and many other topics, offered across the province.
16. Discounts available at select hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, and stores across the province.
17. Return the limit on prescriptions from 30 to 90 days during the pandemic.
18. Make the high-dose flu vaccine available and free for seniors 65+, and RSV for 75+ (this was approved in the 2025-2026 budget).
19. The creation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
20. Seniors applying for financial assistance only need to sign an authorization for the province to obtain their last two tax returns from the CRA. Previously, they had to access that information themselves.
21. Cooling/warming centers: particularly in rural areas (for extreme weather)
FAQ – Answers to Common Questions
“What do we gain?”
Tools, support, visibility, and a united voice to push forward important issues.
“We’re too small, not enough members.”
That’s exactly why NBSCF exists — to strengthen your capacity and support your recruitment. You only need 5 people to become a club, and the Federation has nearly 12,000 members.
“We don’t like politics.”
We are non-partisan. Our role is to defend your rights and simplify access to programs, no matter who is in government.
“Is $10 really worth it?”
Yes. That small amount fuels advocacy, programs, and real results for all seniors across New Brunswick.
Membership 2026
Only $10 per person – a small amount for big results!
For more information, call Lise at the provincial office at 1-800-453-4333.
The NBSCF is YOUR voice. Together, let’s make it resonate even louder!
RSS Feed