Evidence of meeting #65 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cpp.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Studies are not what I asked about, however; rather, I would like to know what steps the government should be taking.
President, National Association of Federal Retirees
Of course, but there are recommendations.
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
If you had to name one or two measures that should be a priority, what would they be?
President, National Association of Federal Retirees
Some examples exist already, such as housing for veterans.
Health Canada has set up all sorts of measures aimed at helping folks with their home improvements. All sorts of benefits are available. One of the challenges we face is that many seniors are not aware of everything that is out there.
President, National Association of Federal Retirees
We have heard many recommendations like those.
With regard to seniors, not knowing who is in charge can be confusing. Seniors don't know whether to deal with the municipal, provincial or federal government. Sooner or later, these programs will need to be streamlined in order to stop wasting so much time and money.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
Thank you.
You have about 10 seconds, so I'm going to suggest we move on.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
I want to thank you all so much for being here.
Just for the record, I want to make sure that we have information. I want to ask you a yes-or-no question, and you're free to abstain. Do you believe the government should implement a national seniors strategy?
I will start at Mr. Beach and end at Ms. Mackenzie.
NDP
Actuary and Senior Research Fellow, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, As an Individual
Yes from me.
Senior Pensions Officer, National Office, Canadian Union of Public Employees
Yes.
President, National Association of Federal Retirees
You don't have a choice.
Sayward Montague Director, Advocacy, National Association of Federal Retirees
Yes.
Seniors Advocate, Office of the Seniors Advocate of British Columbia
Yes.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Thank you, everybody.
Mr. Janson, you talked about the CPP expansion and how it just doesn't go far enough, and you have some serious concerns. Perhaps you could tell us how Canada can do this differently to benefit seniors.
Senior Pensions Officer, National Office, Canadian Union of Public Employees
There is a whole lot of room in the CPP where we still could go. The replacement rate of CPP was set at 25% income replacement back in 1967, which was 50 years ago, when the program started, and it's still at 25% today. We were calling for that to be moved up to 50%. It is moving up to 33%. There's a whole lot of room there where we could still go. We polled on this issue, and Canadians are actually quite willing to put more money into the CPP. We gave them dollar figures and per cent figures, and they were supportive of doing that. This is a trade-off they are willing to make.
The reforms were important, but they just didn't go far enough. Our philosophy is that we should keep pushing to go farther.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Okay.
You mentioned that we should look at how OAS and GIS are indexed. Can you tell us how the government could match it to wages and economic growth?