A Brief History of the
Calgary Retired Teachers' Association

CRTA was officially launched on August 6, 1963. A group of retired teachers had been meeting together informally for some time during the late fifties and early sixties. On the afternoon of August 6, 1963, under the leadership of Henry Becom, a meeting was held in a basement room in the west wing of Western Canada High School. During this meeting the decision was made to form a retired teachers association. Initially, the organization was registered under the name of Retired Teachers' Association, Calgary Branch. It was at a later date that the name was changed to its present form, Calgary Retired Teachers' Association.

The Purpose of the
Calgary Retired Teachers' Association

The Calgary Retired Teachers' Association (CRTA) provides opportunities for retired teachers to meet and exchange experiences and memories with former friends and colleagues. CRTA promotes communication among its members through its Newsletters. Reminders of events and happenings, for those that wish them, are also provided. CRTA fulfills a helping function also; it supports several scholarship and endowment programs that provide financial assistance to university students working toward a degree in Education.

Retired teachers have been impacted by changing Federal and Provincial Government policies. There have also been some changing economic factors that have negatively affected the financial, health and social benefits enjoyed by retired teachers. CRTA, with its Provincial counterpart, the Alberta Retired Teachers' Association (ARTA), provides a means for retirees to speak out against government policies that are adverse to their welfare. CRTA works continuously with ARTA to improve other factors for retired teachers. This work involves Pensions, Income and Property Taxes, and the option of an insurance plan designed for retired teachers that provides coverage for Dental, Extended health Care, Out-of Province Travel, Property, and Vehicles.