The BDC Pensioners’ Association is a social networking organization. The members are former or retired employees or spouses of these employees of the Industrial Development Bank, the Federal Business Development Bank, or the Business Development Bank of Canada. As well, current employees are eligible to become members of the association once they have reached the milestone of twenty-five years of employment. Potential members are invited to join at 25 years employment, upon leaving the Bank's employ if they are entitled to a pension at a later date, or at retirement.

The association is governed by a constitution and is operated by an elected Board of Directors. It holds regular board meetings and a yearly General Meeting open to all members.

The primary objective of the association is to facilitate communication among the members, their spouses, and surviving spouses of members. To accomplish this, various events are held across Canada on a regular basis. In addition, the Association publishes a newsletter called LINK twice yearly – Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter. This web site is kept current to facilitate electronic communication.

There are over 1,400 active members of the Association across Canada and a few members living in other countries.

Full Members of the BDC Pensioners’ Association are previous and/or retired employees of BDC and its predecessors or the spouses of these individuals if they choose to join the organization.

There are also Associate Members who normally are the current employees of BDC who have reached twenty-five years of employment with BDC and their spouses if they choose to join the organization.

Both full and associate members are able to attend functions, the AGM, and receive the newsletter but only full members are able to vote and to hold office in the organization.

Once you are eligible to become a full or an associate member, you will be automatically notified.

In some cases, for whatever reason, those that have become eligible do not initially join the association. People are able to change their minds and if you feel that you meet the requirements to join, please send an email to the Secretary (real.leahey@sympatico.ca) to signify that you would like to be considered for membership.

If your eligibility is confirmed, the necessary material will be sent to you.

Full Members of the BDC Pensioners’ Association are previous and/or retired employees of BDC and its predecessors or the spouses of these individuals if they choose to join the organization.

There are also Associate Members who normally are the current employees of BDC who have reached twenty-five years of employment with BDC and their spouses if they choose to join the organization.

Both full and associate members are able to attend functions, the AGM, and receive the newsletter but only full members are able to vote and to hold office in the organization.

It was in 2005, through the efforts of Lorette Bourbonnière, that spouses were eligible to join as full members. The next year, she became a Director in Ontario. Spousal members are welcomed on committees, as translators, as writers for the newsletters and of course, to hold office.

In order to be eligible as a spouse, you must be eligible to collect a surviving spouse pension.

In the last few years, once a person qualifies to become a member – 25 years employment or leaving the employ of the Bank being entitled to a pension – a letter of invitation is sent to both the potential BDCPA member and his or her spouse. Since this is a rather recent procedure, spouses of those who have qualified for membership or who are members have not been advised of their ability to join the Association.

Because of this, if you are a qualified Spouse under the definition, please contact the Secretary, Réal Leahey 82 Somervale Gardens Pointe-Claire QC H9R 3H5 (514) 695-2301 or at real.leahey@sympatico.ca and request to become a member. Once accepted, you will be advised.