Minister Flaherty’s plan for more pension consultations is just the latest Conservative delay tactic from a government that pretends to be interested in pension reform, while doing nothing to help the pensioners of today and tomorrow make ends meet, said Liberal MPs said today.
“The Harper Conservatives continue to drag their heels after four years of broken promises on pension reform,” said Liberal Critic for Seniors and Pensions Judy Sgro. “Four years later, all Minister Flaherty can offer 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 with Canadians and report back within 90 days of last year’s budget, but took no substantive action. Last December, they extended their delay tactics by promising to call yet another meeting with the provinces in May to discuss pensions. Today Minister Flaherty announced yet more consultations and could not tell Canadians when they would see the changes that are desperately needed.
Liberal Finance Critic John McCallum expressed concerns that the consultation process may have been set up to ensure the continuation of the status quo.
“They’ve set up the entire consultation process to reinforce their December pension paper’s view that everything is just fine with the Canadian retirement income system,” said Mr. McCallum. “They’ve got ten questions asking if Canadians are willing to give up a little bit more today but no questions asking Canadians if they want to have a better retirement tomorrow. It’s a road map towards failure.”
“In marked contrast, the Liberal party made concrete pension proposals last year after consulting with Canadians,” said Ms. Sgro. “We understand the urgency of the situation. Canadian pensioners and workers need immediate action from their government, and not just another empty gesture of more bureaucratic consultations. Enough consultation – the time for action is now.”
Last December, the Liberal party proposed 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 long-term disability plans better protection.
“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. If only Canadians had a government willing to act.”
