Glen Jones, retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and president of the local non-profit branch of the Canadian National Association of Federal Retirees, says they're located in Portage la Prairie to advocate for those who are paying into or receiving pensions from Canadian public service, including honourably discharged non-pension veterans. He notes spouses and survivors are also eligible.
Jones notes, “I’ll just give you a little history on the association. We started in 1960. We are currently 174,000 strong with 77 branches across Canada, coast to coast. Our local branch is responsible from just north of Gladstone to the Canadian–U.S. border, and from MacGregor to the west and Headingley to the east. We have approximately 270 members in our area of responsibility.”
He explains that their mission is to advocate for members and all Canadians in areas such as retirement income, income security, a national seniors’ strategy, and veteran well-being. The group represents those from the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, the federal civil service, and federal judges.
Jones adds, “The retired part of it is a little misleading because we also represent serving members. Our main purpose is to advocate at all levels of government for our members and for all Canadians. Our organization has been invited in the past to speak in front of the United Nations. We’re 174,000 strong, with 77 branches. We have four branches in Manitoba with approximately 7,500 members in the province alone.”
Membership and eligibility
Membership is open to anyone paying into or receiving a pension from the Canadian public service, the RCMP, the Armed Forces, or federally appointed judges. Honourably discharged members without pensions, as well as spouses and survivors, are also eligible.
Jones says, “If anybody is eligible to join, you can find the information by typing in NAFR Canada in a Google search or by calling 1-855-304-4700. Membership fees are about $5 a month for a single membership and about $6.50 a month for a double membership, so you and your spouse or your partner can both be covered.”
Member benefits and discounts
The membership fees support advocacy efforts, but Jones points out there are practical benefits as well. Savings come through a network of local preferred partners across Manitoba, covering vehicles, groceries, health care, and more.
Jones continues, “We currently have 15 local preferred partners in our area of responsibility. To name a few, there’s Dunn Chrysler, Panko’s Food Center, McMunn & Yates Building Supplies, Sticky Fingers, Hill Drug Stores, Mil-Jeanne Flowers, McDonald’s Sporting Goods, Brandon Mobility, David Do Hair Design, and several more. McMunn & Yates has 22 stores, and all of them will give NAFR members discounts, regardless of the branch.”
Local preferred partners include:
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Craig Dunn Motor City (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC)
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Dunn Chrysler Dodge, Jeep, Ram
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Panko’s Food Centre
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McMunn & Yates Building Supplies – discounts on most purchases at 22 stores in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario
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Bill’s Sticky Fingers Restaurant
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Hill’s Drug Stores
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Mil-Jeanne Flowers & Axcenz
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McDonald’s Sporting Goods
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Brandon Mobility Health Care Solutions (Brandon and Portage locations)
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Davi-Doo Hair Design
Every preferred partner benefit is available to all members across Canada, no matter which branch they belong to. For Jones, this combination of advocacy and practical savings makes the association an important support system for retirees, serving members, and their families.
National advocacy priorities
The National Association of Federal Retirees is Canada’s largest advocacy organization representing current and retired members of the federal public service, the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, and federally appointed judges, along with their partners and survivors. With more than 170,000 members nationwide, the group campaigns for pension protection, health care improvements, and stronger retirement policies.
Their stated priorities include:
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protecting defined-benefit pension plans and strengthening retirement income security
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ensuring timely and transparent decisions for veterans waiting on benefits or appeals
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rebuilding trust with veterans by improving communication and outcomes, often through collaboration with national service providers, non-profits, and community groups
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advancing a universal, public pharmacare program built on the principles of universality, public administration, accessibility, and affordability
Through these campaigns, the association aims not only to defend earned pensions and benefits but also to shape public policy that supports Canadians in retirement.
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