Will the Tories REALLY Change THEIR pensions

[Topaz]

A report out today say the Tories are THINKING about SOME changes to their pensions. My views is they will probably make the ruling affect the FUTURE MP's and NOT the ones seating right now, who will be getting HUGE pensions. I think they should have a panel made up of everyday Canadians and NOT friends, to have the say what pensions and wages they can achieve while being an MP. How many workers get the chance to increase their own pay cheques and pensions? http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/tories-hinting-possible-pension-reform-mps-171543592.html

[MiddleClassCentrist]

If they follow their ideology of only performing actions in self interest, they won't.

[Tilter]

If they follow their ideology of only performing actions in self interest, they won't.

Is that just like all preceding governments have done?

[Topaz]

I wonder if the party that does support the MP's of present day, to reduced, or THEY pay more of their pensions, would voters change their voting habits and support that party? I don't think the Tories will take this far enough so there's room for the NDP or Liberals to take it further and maybe pick up more support. The question being, are they there for the pensions and the benefits or to do community service for the country?

[scribblet]

I doubt that you'll see much support from the NDP or the Liberals for major changes to their pensions, some have allready expressed support for the current system.

http://www.hilltimes.com/news/2011/06/08/mps%E2%80%99-pension-plan-on-hook-for-$804-million-says-new-report/27884

and

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/985843--defeated-mps-turn-to-gold-plated-pensions

Gatens said his organization, which annually lobbies the federal government for more equitable pensions, doesn’t begrudge people a comfortable retirement.

Dosanjh said an MP’s pension is “absolutely deserved.”

He said it’s one way of keeping the “best and brightest” if they know at the end their career “they are not going to face absolute poverty.”

Dosanjh said when he started in B.C. provincial politics in 1991 he was making $250,000 a year as a lawyer. He gave that up to make $61,000 annually.

“You don’t go into politics to get rich,” he said.

Besides parliament can't do it on their own,the governing body for the House pensions is BOIE which is authorized to make by-laws pertaining to Members’ use of the funds etc.

Members are, the Speaker, 2 members of the Privy Council, the Leader of the Opposition, and additional Members appointed in appropriate representative numbers to be equal to all parties.

Winnipeg MP Shelly Glover is on the record telling the House Finance committee last October: "Some of us (MPs) actually, when we got elected, tried to waive the federal pension, but we're not allowed to." This is true as Chretien brought in some changes in 2000 requiring MPs to opt in.

[PIK]

I tired of this best and brightest, let them go into the private world and then get laid off in 2 years. They have it made and don't know it. Does harper even have a pension?

[scribblet]

I tired of this best and brightest, let them go into the private world and then get laid off in 2 years. They have it made and don't know it. Does harper even have a pension?

He will have one when he leaves office under the same rules as the others. This is nothing new to the conservative gov't you know.

I wouldn't be surprised to see some minor tweaking but nothing major, he can't do anything without the committee I mentioned. One thing he should do is change the age they can be received, they should have to wait until they are 65 or the pension is actuarially reduced.