Finance Minister backs pension reform
Posted February 2, 2012 6:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The federal finance minister is staying tight-lipped about the government’s plan to reform the pension system.
This comes as MP’s debate a motion to try and prevent the Conservatives from amending old age security.
Jim Flaherty refuses to talk about the options he is looking at but does tow the party line that something has to give.
“We do need to take action to ensure long term sustainability of these programs,” he explained.
He said this is an important issue for the future of Canada.
“This is not an issue that can be ignored unless we want to put at risk the fiscal track for the country,” said Flaherty.
There is even word that Conservative MP’s are upset over the plan to play with the pension system. There are questions on whether the government will follow through with real action in the budget, or just announce a review of the system.
This comes ahead of Monday’s vote on the opposition motion to block the reforms.
The NDP says they have been flooded with calls from voters across the country about what will happen to their retirement plans.
“They’re outraged, they’re insulted but I think the main point is that they are terrified,” said NDP MP Irene Mathyssen.
Flaherty repeated that no current seniors will be affected by the changes.
