Federalis poised for cutbacks to public pensions in federal budget

[Guest Peeves]

This will initiate a war. Ok, the MP's pension was a start, but did you expect this? I did.

The government is spending too much, but this may be the red button alarm.

http://news.national...ublic-pensions/

• The pension plan for public servants also may be ripe for change. A recent report by the C.D. Howe Institute concluded that if public-sector pension plans used market yields to calculate their liabilities, Ottawa’s unfunded liability would be $227 billion. The government began dropping hints this winter that it is reviewing the pension scheme to ensure it is fair to both employees and “taxpayers” — prompting speculation that Flaherty will announce that public servants will see their contribution rates, set for 40 per cent in 2013, ultimately rise to 50 per cent.

With Finance Minister Jim Flaherty set to reveal the details in his budget next Thursday, the outlines of what likely lies ahead are becoming plain:

• The backbone of the pension system — Old Age Security (OAS) —will be slashed for future seniors, likely by extending the age of eligibility to 67 from 65. The purpose is twofold: Keep Canadians in the workforce longer to boost the economy and provide taxes to government and; limit the costs of the OAS system by ensuring there are fewer beneficiaries. The big question Canadians will learn in the budget: When do the cutbacks start — expectations are it won’t be for another decade — and how gradually are they to be implemented?

[Fletch 27]

With the lifespan increasing of Canadians, and Canadians investing privately more and more, with ever increasing wealth personal wealth, the move from 65 to 67 is very good for not only the economy but for those who want to work. An intelligent canadian who falls under the new changes can plan accordingly now.

[PIK]

People do retire to early,(teachers, firemen, police,ect) then go take a minimum wage job from someone that needs it, just to have something to do. Teachers are just in thier prime when they start retiring at 53 give or take.

[Signals.Cpl]

So should police officers,Firemen and members of the military be forced to work up till retirement at 67?

[Mr.Canada]

They haven't changed it for low income seniors which is a good thing. We cannot be taking money away from the poor in order to finance things that will not effect them.

[PIK]

So should police officers,Firemen and members of the military be forced to work up till retirement at 67?

That is a tough question. Some yes, others no. You have city police dealing with pretty shitty stuff and if they can not handle it ,there will be problems,then police in small towns like I live in, have it made in spades. Military ,if you are just a desk jockey and don't get invovled in foriegn tours ,then why not. You could have a lower age for them, but not early 50's when it comes to teachers. If you can understand what I am getting at.

[Topaz]

Ever think maybe the minister is doing this because he won't get OAS and he doesn't have to worry about this sons collecting because thery will be in the Top half of wage earners. Just remember people, these guys in Ottawa, will never have finance problems, because they make the rules and benefit from them. The Tories said they needed to change the age because there wasn't going to be enough money for ALL the increase number of people. So how are the workers who can only find part time jobs, save up for pensions? The good outlook is that the NDP has said that when he gets into the PMO, he'll reverse all the social programs that hurt Canadians,even the Tory supporters will benefit.

[Guest Peeves]

Ever think maybe the minister is doing this because he won't get OAS and he doesn't have to worry about this sons collecting because thery will be in the Top half of wage earners. Just remember people, these guys in Ottawa, will never have finance problems, because they make the rules and benefit from them. The Tories said they needed to change the age because there wasn't going to be enough money for ALL the increase number of people. So how are the workers who can only find part time jobs, save up for pensions? The good outlook is that the NDP has said that when he gets into the PMO, he'll reverse all the social programs that hurt Canadians,even the Tory supporters will benefit.

It is reported that here is a labor shortage out West that will continue for decades.. I don't think any able bodied person couldn't work if they weren't so

fussy.

[Argus]

It is reported that here is a labor shortage out West that will continue for decades.. I don't think any able bodied person couldn't work if they weren't so

fussy.

Yeah, there is a labour shortage in PEI too. They had to import Ukrainians to work in a chocolate factory. There's also a shortage of labour in New Brunswick, despite an 11% unemployment rate, they apparently have to import Russians and Poles to work in fish plants. Just like there was a shortage of labour in BC, and they had to import 2000 Chinese to work in coal mines... Am I seeing an oddity with this alleged 'shortage of labour' perhaps?

[Fletch 27]

So now and there is an evil "top half"? What's the slogan? "half of the people making half of the money". The left must always be a victim

[Mr.Canada]

So now and there is an evil "top half"? What's the slogan? "half of the people making half of the money". The left must always be a victim

Seems to me like anyone who decides to take their life into their own hands and make something of themselves is evil or the enemy of the socialist. The friend of the socialist seems to be the people who choose to live on welfare and do nothing with themselves. In other words, the slacker.

[Guest Derek L]

So should police officers,Firemen and members of the military be forced to work up till retirement at 67?

I’d question the utility of that, but the pensions those examples of careers receive will hardly force said pensioner to eat cat food till they’re 67.………How many members of the forces do you know did their 25 and packed her in (in their 40s at 50%)?

[Moonbox]

Ever think maybe the minister is doing this because he won't get OAS and he doesn't have to worry about this sons collecting because thery will be in the Top half of wage earners. Just remember people, these guys in Ottawa, will never have finance problems, because they make the rules and benefit from them.

That's certainly one juvenile, intellectually broken way of looking at it.

The Tories said they needed to change the age because there wasn't going to be enough money for ALL the increase number of people. So how are the workers who can only find part time jobs, save up for pensions? The good outlook is that the NDP has said that when he gets into the PMO, he'll reverse all the social programs that hurt Canadians,even the Tory supporters will benefit.

Workers who can only find part time jobs are going to have to get used to the reality that life isn't going to be comfy and easy.

The real good news is that the NDP won't get into the PMO anytime in the forseeable future.

[Topaz]

Did anyone think the reform party would ever get into the PMO? No, but they did under another name. The one social program that Canadian better watch closely is health care. Harper view is to reduce Ottawa's support to the provinces and I wouldn't put it past him if he wants American style private health insurance for Canadians. There's many problems with that and one is many Canadians couldn't afford it and the second is insurance companies are in the business of making money not healing their insurers. In 2015, with another election, the Tories will tread lightly on this subject until after the election and hopefully the voters will say no to the Tories.

[Moonbox]

We're not going to be privatizing health care. That's such a taboo subject to Canadians and every MP knows it. Even if Harper wanted to privatize health care (which he doesn't), his MP's wouldn't because it would be political suicide. Watching people like you write stupid crap like this is funny. On the one hand, you're more than happy to toss brainless scare tactics like:

Oh no, Harper's going to outlaw abortion. Oh no, Harper's going to cancel public health insurance. Oh no, Harper's going to impose martial law and take away our freedoms.

In the same breath, however, you'll criticize HIM for his campaign's brainless attack ads against his opponents. Harper learned very quickly from his opponents how intellectually bankrupt the electorate is. It's no surprise people like you, on either side of the debate, end up being such political hacks.

[bleeding heart]

In the same breath, however, you'll criticize HIM for his campaign's brainless attack ads against his opponents. Harper learned very quickly from his opponents how intellectually bankrupt the electorate is. It's no surprise people like you, on either side of the debate, end up being such political hacks.

I don't disagree with you for a second about his opponents...but don't you ever tire of thinking that all Harper's faults are reactive...that he only behaves badly because his hand is forced by the evil Opposition parties?

Truly, He's too good for this fallen world....