NDP announce plan for stronger pensions

NDP candidates Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt) and Paul Loewenberg (Sudbury) back Tom Mulcair’s plan for pensions, saying this is what voters in Sudbury and Nickel Belt ridings are looking for.
 
"The median age of citizens in Nickel Belt is a couple years older than the provincial average, with the three largest groups falling in the 45-49, 50-54 and 55-59 age groups," said Gravelle in a news release. "That is why retirement security is something I'm hearing repeatedly on doorsteps across the riding."
 
In a news release, Mulcair committed to convening a First Ministers’ meetings on retirement security in his first six months, with a goal of strengthening the CPP and QPP.

He also announced additional measures to provide for secure retirement, including:
 
-Protecting pension-income splitting for seniors and Registered Retirement Income Fund enhancements;
-Setting the Old Age Security eligibility age from 67 to 65;
-Protecting existing retirees from having their accrued pension benefits reduced by their employer; and
-Helping to lift 200,000 seniors out of poverty with new funding for the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

“Instead of making retirement safer, Stephen Harper is telling federal sector employers that it’s okay for them to walk away from pension commitments they have made to their workers and he’s blocked every attempt to strengthen the CPP – all while raising the retirement age to 67,” said Loewenberg.

“It is time for a Prime Minister who makes secure retirement and stronger pensions for Canadians a priority – Tom Mulcair is ready to get the job done.”