Mrs. Douglas was president of the provincial organization for 20 years. When it began, the
Provincial's main objectives were to get an increase in the pension, and to eliminate the means
tests. Like the OAPO and all subsequent federations, it was made up of representatives of the
pensioners' clubs from around the province. Soon after its formation, 32 clubs had joined. Around
1954, the name "Old Age Pensioners Organization" was changed to "Pensioners and Senior citizens
Organizations" (PSCO). Annual conventions were held, to which the representatives brought
resolutions. Although the pension and the means test continued to be their top priority, they raised
other concerns as well. A source of great pride to present day Saskatchewan seniors is that the
original request for universal Medicare was present to the provincial government by the Pensioners
and Pioneers organization in the 1950's.
This led, in 1962, to the first government Medicare plan in North America. After each convention,
the federation leader would meet with the provincial cabinet to present the resolutions and advocate
their proposals. They would also send them to the federal government. This practice is still being
carried on today. After the Saskatchewan Federation had three successful years, Nathan Medd
initiated the National Pensioners and Seniors Citizen's Federation. To this day, Saskatchewan
remains as the number one affiliate of the National. In 1991, Ted Azevedo of Nipawin was elected
president of the National, which had a membership of two million seniors across Canada. He was
reelected as president in September 1992.
With the introduction in 1972 of the Federal new Horizons' Program, a new organization was formed in
the province in 1977 called the Saskatchewan Association of New Horizons Projects. Then in 1981 the
Pensioners and Senior Citizens Organizations and the Saskatchewan Association of New Horizons
Projects joined forces to form a larger organization which took on the name…Saskatchewan Seniors
Association Inc. (SSAI.)
After serving as president of the former PSCO from 1977 until it was dissolved in 1981,
Mr. Azevedo became the first president of the SSAI. He remained in that position until 1988 before
voluntarily stepping down. At the SSAI Convention in Estevan in 1988, Eric Tuplin of Beechy was
elected president. However, after a short term in office, he passed away very suddenly
and was succeeded for the duration of the term by first vice-president Madge Phillips of Unity.
At the 1989 convention in Prince Albert, Mrs. Phillips was elected president, she was
re-elected again in 1990, and then retired from the position at the end of the term because
of failing health. She was succeeded by Harry Giles of Saskatoon, who was elected
president at the SSAI convention in Regina. At the Association's convention in Humboldt in
June 1992, Edwin Wright of Sturgis was elected president to succeed Mr. Giles. Following Mr. Edwin
Wright's terms of office, Helen McMillian became president. Due to health
problems Harry Moore succeeded Helen. Harry Moore remained president until his health
failed then Daryl Van Dussen became president for a short term.
Ed Seminar finished out Van Dussens' term and served until 1999. In June 1999 Grant Whitfield became
president. He was succeeded by Fern Haight
as president, from 2002 until 2008. The president at this time is Len Fallows.
Today, SSAI is comprised of 230 clubs throughout the province and a total membership of
about 8,000