Continued from here.
Issues Pages:
Labour's demand to double CPP/QPP benefits 3
Thu, 2011-03-31 08:29
#1
Labour's demand to double CPP/QPP benefits 3
Fri, 2011-04-01 08:40
#2
Testing that I can actually post here. The new posting UI is breathtakingly bad.
Back in the land of actual content, the G&M has a piece on the Liberal proposals here:
[[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-push-personal-savi...
Much as I have an instinctive distrust of journalists explaining to me "what the proposal REALLY means", it doesn't seem like a bad summary.
Fri, 2011-04-01 13:41
#3
Here's a working link:
[url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-push-personal-savi...
Fri, 2011-04-01 16:40
#4
Here's a working link:
[url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-push-personal-savi...
Thanks, Unionist. I put the url inside double square brackets, as stated in the instructions at the bottom of the new-format posting page at the time I posted, but that clearly didn't work.
Mon, 2011-04-04 11:54
#5
Here's a story on the NDP proposal:
It looks to have a lot of common ground with the Liberal proposal, and to be more definite about how much to increase CPP and by when. It also seems to include a defined-contribution, low-management fee option.
Mon, 2011-04-04 12:09
#6
[b]BRAVO[/b] to Jack Layton and the party for putting the CPP/QPP, GIS, and workplace pension protection demands right back in the public domain!
I'm particularly pleased that Jack is simply pushing the same demands as were previously promoted by the NDP, the CLC, the Québec union centrals, seniors' and retirees' organizations - instead of feeling he has to introduce some new spin or glitz for the sake of an election campaign. It is this consistent approach which will keep the issue on the agenda, election or no election, and reassure the workers' organizations that they do have a political champion on these fronts.
Mon, 2011-04-04 12:31
#7
That steadiness in the message and keeping it out there is crucial.
For as long as he is in power, Harper can stand in the way of the plan moving forward. But that isnt forever, and the scope of funding public pensions is a much longer time frame than governments.
It would be a serious mistake for people to fall into thinking this is hill to die on now. I know labour isnt doing that, and good that the NDP is not. With the important benefit that as long as the issue is kept out there, all except the seriously reactionary provincial governments are supportive. Some of them continue to bring the issue up of their own accord- like Nova Scotia, and I think Ontario.
[Note: I dont count Quebec's government as seriously reactionary, even with Charest. Their joining of Alberta to giving Flaherty cover to do the bait and switch was rerehensible. But I bet even without a change of govt they are easily enough brought back in the fold. And probably did the back stab to get the HST deal money.]
Mon, 2011-12-05 23:12
#8
[b]BRAVO[/b] to Jack Layton and the party for putting the CPP/QPP, GIS, and workplace pension protection demands right back in the public domain!
I'm particularly pleased that Jack is simply pushing the same demands as were previously promoted by the NDP, the CLC, the Québec union centrals, seniors' and retirees' organizations - instead of feeling he has to introduce some new spin or glitz for the sake of an election campaign. It is this consistent approach which will keep the issue on the agenda, election or no election, and reassure the workers' organizations that they do have a political champion on these fronts.
Now let's see what the Supreme Court does in its upcoming decision regarding workers' claims on underfunded pension plans in cases of company bankruptcy. The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled on the side of workers in a case this April. Indusgtry lawyers warn that the appeal court ruling "could spell trouble for companies trying to restructure under bankruptcy protection, according to a Canadian Press story. "Potential lenders could b e scared away if pension plans get priority when a company is wound up, they say." The appeal court said the decisions on distribution of the funds would have to be decided on a case-byo-case basis.
Seems to me that this would be a perfect opportunity for the NDP to campaign on - a return to support for - and expansion of - public pension systems to remove uncertainty for workers while leaving companies a freer hand in their attempts to re-structure. WE certainly MUST overcome the Alberta/Quebec promotion of the insurance industry plans - the idea that they are of benefit to any but the financially independent.