Espace Michel Lizée
Recognition
« Winning Initiative » Award, 2008
Awarded by the Sectoral Workforce Committees (CSMO), this prize recognizes the successful initiatives of organizations that have a remarkable impact in a given sector of Québec society.
The Pension Plan for Community and Women’s Groups (RRFS-GCF) was the recipient of this award in 2008 in recognition of its efforts to improve working conditions in the community and social economy sector.
«Designed in close collaboration with representatives from several national organizations, this pension plan aims to enable organizations and their employees to improve their working conditions and thus prevent these workers—who have dedicated their lives to the dignity and rights of individuals and communities—from ending up in poverty once they retire. It is intended to be a plan adapted to the diverse realities of organizations, attractive to the next generation, and respectful of our democratic values and practices.
Overall, the implementation of this pension plan will constitute a structural element for the sustainable development of the social economy and community action sector.»
The Pension Plan for Community and Women’s Groups (RRFS-GCF) was the recipient of this award in 2008 in recognition of its efforts to improve working conditions in the community and social economy sector.
«Designed in close collaboration with representatives from several national organizations, this pension plan aims to enable organizations and their employees to improve their working conditions and thus prevent these workers—who have dedicated their lives to the dignity and rights of individuals and communities—from ending up in poverty once they retire. It is intended to be a plan adapted to the diverse realities of organizations, attractive to the next generation, and respectful of our democratic values and practices.
Overall, the implementation of this pension plan will constitute a structural element for the sustainable development of the social economy and community action sector.»
- Sectoral Workforce Committees (CSMO)
«Plan Sponsor Award», 2010
This award recognized the innovative nature and quality of the Plan’s approach for its achievements in the social economy and community action sector. The RRFS-GCF received this award in 2010 in Toronto from Benefits Canada magazine.
«Thanks to its innovative approach in the areas of employer contributions, member education, and the management of surplus assets, the RRFS-GCF developed a solution that meets the needs of both employers and their employees. Over the past 18 months, they have worked diligently to control costs without sacrificing quality. The Plan engaged its members during presentations and training sessions to ensure that new and future plan members understand how it works and the benefits they can expect. Additionally, the plan prudently applied the latest technologies to communicate with members and process contributions, allowing it to manage costs efficiently, reduce risks, and provide members with a high-quality experience.
By thoroughly understanding the specific needs of a multi-employer pension plan and its participants, the plan was able to implement prudent and flexible funding and investment policies regarding benefits and plan financing. These policies, combined with the establishment of a retirement committee composed of employer and participant representatives, demonstrate the RRFS-GCF’s commitment to providing solutions that work for the community and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to truly plan for their retirement.»
«Thanks to its innovative approach in the areas of employer contributions, member education, and the management of surplus assets, the RRFS-GCF developed a solution that meets the needs of both employers and their employees. Over the past 18 months, they have worked diligently to control costs without sacrificing quality. The Plan engaged its members during presentations and training sessions to ensure that new and future plan members understand how it works and the benefits they can expect. Additionally, the plan prudently applied the latest technologies to communicate with members and process contributions, allowing it to manage costs efficiently, reduce risks, and provide members with a high-quality experience.
By thoroughly understanding the specific needs of a multi-employer pension plan and its participants, the plan was able to implement prudent and flexible funding and investment policies regarding benefits and plan financing. These policies, combined with the establishment of a retirement committee composed of employer and participant representatives, demonstrate the RRFS-GCF’s commitment to providing solutions that work for the community and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to truly plan for their retirement.»
– Mr. Tim Rourke, Vice President, Relationship Management, CIBC Mellon, during the award ceremony in Toronto
«Impact Projects» Award, 2019
As part of UQAM’s 50th anniversary, the Pension Plan for Community and Women’s Groups (RRFS-GCF) was selected to receive UQAM’s Impact Projects award in 2019. This award recognizes innovative projects that have a significant impact on the transformation of Québec society.
Indeed, in 2002, the Québec community sector included more than 200,000 people with modest salaries, underfunded employers, and no access to a pension plan. If nothing was done to ensure their financial security, poverty awaited them in retirement.
Project
UQAM’s Community Services, Relais-femmes, and the Centre de formation populaire (CFP) supported a group of sector participants to design an adapted plan with a lifetime guaranteed pension, managed by and for the community. After a series of training sessions, the Pension Plan for Community and Women’s Groups (RRFS-GCF) was established.
Impacts
The RRFS-GCF constitutes a structural element for the sustainable development of the social and community economy sector.
It brings together more than 1,000 community groups, 12,800 participants, and over 150 million dollars in assets (data updated in October 2023).
It serves as a tool for attracting new talent and retaining staff.
Despite its young age, the RRFS-GCF improves retirement incomes and already provides pensions to more than 135 retirees. It will allow thousands of employees to avoid poverty in retirement.
Instigators
Michel Lizée*, Coordinator, Community Services, UQAM (deceased in 2021) Teams from Relais-femmes and Centre de formation populaire (CFP)
Partners
Relais-femmes; Centre de formation populaire; RRFS-GCF Retirement Committee
Indeed, in 2002, the Québec community sector included more than 200,000 people with modest salaries, underfunded employers, and no access to a pension plan. If nothing was done to ensure their financial security, poverty awaited them in retirement.
Project
UQAM’s Community Services, Relais-femmes, and the Centre de formation populaire (CFP) supported a group of sector participants to design an adapted plan with a lifetime guaranteed pension, managed by and for the community. After a series of training sessions, the Pension Plan for Community and Women’s Groups (RRFS-GCF) was established.
Impacts
The RRFS-GCF constitutes a structural element for the sustainable development of the social and community economy sector.
It brings together more than 1,000 community groups, 12,800 participants, and over 150 million dollars in assets (data updated in October 2023).
It serves as a tool for attracting new talent and retaining staff.
Despite its young age, the RRFS-GCF improves retirement incomes and already provides pensions to more than 135 retirees. It will allow thousands of employees to avoid poverty in retirement.
Instigators
Michel Lizée*, Coordinator, Community Services, UQAM (deceased in 2021) Teams from Relais-femmes and Centre de formation populaire (CFP)
Partners
Relais-femmes; Centre de formation populaire; RRFS-GCF Retirement Committee
Admission to the UQAM Circle of Excellence, 2012
Michel Lizée was admitted to the Circle of Excellence of the Université du Québec in August 2012. This admission is a symbolic recognition awarded to an individual whose work and performance deserve public acknowledgment.
It is indeed a recognition of Michel’s work and performance in his role as Coordinator of UQAM’s Community Services.
It is indeed a recognition of Michel’s work and performance in his role as Coordinator of UQAM’s Community Services.
Words from Michel Lizée
“People simply have no idea of the very low incomes that await them in retirement if they do not establish a retirement plan. I always say that, even if one does not earn a high salary, one simply cannot afford to be without a retirement plan.”
