Finance committee  It was a result of the CPP expansion.

Finance committee  In regard to whether this was ever anticipated or discussed during the entire period of the enhancement, it was not. I can say that without any hesitation, and it will not jeopardize the agreement that was reached, because it was clear that anything that was currently in the CPP that was protected and provided for was never intended to be taken away, either from women or from those in the disability dropout period.

Finance committee  I think Canadians are aware that 11 million people have no workplace pension in this country. They are aware of the dire straits, if we don't fix the system, that their conditions will be in when they retire. They understand that, yes, it will cost them a little bit more to pay for their pension, but they know, at the end of the day, they will get a benefit, not a gamble that, if I put money into my RRSP, maybe the returns will be there.

Finance committee  Exactly. We did a survey of small business owners in Ontario who said they would support an expanded CPP because they know, at the end of the day, they would get a better benefit as individuals who need to have an income when they also retire.

Finance committee  I would be more than happy to show you the study. I'd be more than happy to share the study with you.

Finance committee  It was a survey, a poll that was done in Ontario of small business owners recognizing that, yes of course, they would have to pay for the Canada pension plan. They recognized also they would get a benefit by paying a little more for their Canada pension.

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  I can tell you, on a personal level, I've spent the last seven years—it will be eight years this December—criss-crossing this country, talking to anyone who cared to listen on why we should do this. The fact that we have done it is truly an amazing achievement on behalf of Canadians.

Finance committee  Obviously, when we started the campaign we recognized that 11 million Canadians who went to work today have no workplace pension, and the only pension they're going to have when they retire is the Canada pension plan. The fundamental challenge we face is that we know that their savings are very low.

Finance committee  This committee has a direct responsibility to amend the bill to fix that problem. This is an affront to women's equality in this country, and it is simply wrong. It was corrected in 1997, and we have no business going back and taking that away from women and people who get disability benefits.

Finance committee  First of all, Chair, members, good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. It's a pleasure for me to speak to the bill. I'm very proud to be here today in regard to this discussion. The Canadian Labour Congress speaks on behalf of 3.3 million workers across this country.

International Trade committee  I think we had a very good trade agreement with the United States under the Auto Pact. We had a reciprocal commitment for investment and jobs in our respective countries, which benefited both of us in the development of the auto industry.

International Trade committee  Not with the current provision in NAFTA. I would certainly exclude the ISDS clause and I would have stronger protection for workers under the labour chapter agreement.

International Trade committee  Specifically 2.3 million....

International Trade committee  The labour provisions in the agreement don't specifically require the countries to even meet the core ILO labour standards provision. While countries may be expected to enforce their laws, we're not sure specifically what laws they will enforce if they don't already have adequate laws on their books.