As mentioned in the September address, the Small Investor Protection Association, along with the USCO and CARP, met with the Attorney-Generals office to discuss the difficulties that changing the limitation period from six to two years creates for seniors.

We are keeping this issue before the province until this punitive legislation is re-examined.

Please read the description of the Small Investor Protection Association (SIPA) following, and check out their web site at www.sipa.to.

The Small Investor Protection Association (SIPA) was founded in 1998 with a mission to help small investors become more informed, to provide guidance with dispute resolution and to advocate better investor protection. SIPA is incorporated as a national (Canadian) non-profit organization with members in nine provinces.

SIPA is a voice for small investors, and in April this year appeared before the Canadian Senate Committee on Banking and Investment Services to express concern over the lack of meaningful investor protection in Canada.

Provincial regulators are responsible for providing investor protection, but they pursue preventative measures and not remedial. Dispute resolution is provided by industry itself or is industry sponsored. The government's position has been that if the system does not work, investors could rely upon civil litigation to seek justice.

Recently, several Canadian provinces have reduced the limitation period for taking civil action from six years to two. This is insufficient time for victims of life-altering events, and losing life savings is a life-altering event.

Unfortunately, many of the victims who have lost their savings due to industry wrongdoing are seniors or widows, and these victims need time to recover.

Even when recovered, victims routinely spend more than two years dealing with our regulatory and dispute resolution system before determining that they must take civil action to seek justice.

Canada's Association for the Fifty Plus (CARP) and the United Senior Citizens of Ontario (USCO) have joined with SIPA in seeking relief from this regressive legislation.

I have enjoyed the fall rallies that I've attended - there is nothing as important or as much fun as visiting with interested, interesting seniors who are active in their communities. Activity, both in mind and body helps to keep seniors well. Go for a walk, do a crossword puzzle, volunteer and remain part of your local network of seniors.

At the most recent meeting of the Ontario Senior Secretariat Liaison Committee, the issue of the changing face of "family" was discussed. The Ontario Human Rights Commission is looking at the traditional family definition and how it affects the protection afforded to those who don't fit into the current description. More about this in a later edition of the The Voice after all the submissions have been given on the discussion paper.

The sub-committee on housing met in the morning of the same day. There was a presentation on the changes happening in support services designed to keep seniors in their own homes. I am delighted to see and hear recognition from the government of the frequently voiced recommendation from the USCO and other senior groups. It's always encouraging when one can see shifts in government thinking to reflect seniors' concerns.

Please feel free to forward resolutions all year. It's very difficult when they don't come in on time and I'll remind you that we will not accept late ones next year. If your club or organization does not meet until after the deadline, do your resolutions at the previous meeting, whenever that might be.

In the meantime, enjoy our lovely fall weather and the "boo"tiful leaves.

Have a safe and happy Hallowe'en!

Keep well and look after one another.