CUPE National President Paul Moist is urging the federal government to extend its pension consultations to include more input from Canadians, both working and retired.
“We’re very pleased that the government will hold cross-country consultations on Canada’s retirement income system. It’s a welcome first-step toward much-needed pension reform,” said Moist, in a letter addressed to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
However, Moist says he’s concerned that not enough people will be able to participate in the consultation process.
“There are only three public events planned - in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Quebec City, QC, and Richmond, BC. But millions of Canadians are facing an uncertain future in retirement. Three public events will not sufficiently engage or represent the large number of citizens who are concerned about their pensions.”
Only one in five employed in the private sector belong to a workplace pension plan, and over 11 million Canadian workers have no pension plan at all.
“Solutions for fixing Canada’s retirement income system should not come on an invitation-only basis. Millions of Canadians are worried about their pensions – more of their voices need to be heard.”
Moist says that to truly gauge the concerns of a broad cross-section of Canadians, there should be at least one public consultation held in each province.