The Conservative government’s broken promises, delay tactics and continued inaction on pension reform is leaving the pensioners of today and tomorrow without the income they need to get by, said Liberal Critic for Seniors and Pensions Judy Sgro.
“The Harper Conservatives have promised action on pensions for four years, but have made zero progress,” said Ms. Sgro. “Four years on, all the government offers is more talk and no action, with one stall tactic after another and endless promises to consult with Canadians.”
After declaring that pension reform was a “priority”, the Conservative government promised to consult and report back to Canadians within 90 days of last year’s budget, but did nothing. Last December, they extended their delay tactics by promising to call a meeting of the provinces in May to discuss pensions.
“I’m prepared to sit down with anyone, regardless of partisan stripe, to resolve this matter – but that hasn’t stopped the Liberal party from making concrete pension proposals,” Ms. Sgro continued. “Canadian pensioners and workers have every right to expect immediate action from their government, rather than another empty promise of more bureaucratic consultations.”
Last December, the Liberal party proposed three substantial pension reforms:
• A voluntary Supplementary Canada Pension Plan, to help more Canadians save more through our trusted national pension;
• A stranded pension agency to give employees whose companies have gone bankrupt the option of growing their pension assets through the Canada Pension Plan; and,
• Changes to the Bankruptcy Act to give the most vulnerable on long-term disability preferred status as creditors.
“The Harper Conservatives think that Canadians haven’t noticed their stalling, instead hoping that the problem will just go away,” concluded Ms. Sgro. “But seniors have noticed, and they’re speaking out loudly, because this problem won’t just go away. That’s why the Liberal party is committed to solving the pension crisis before it gets worse. I just wish we had a willing partner across the way.”
