Evidence of meeting #24 for Public Safety and National Security in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was officers.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Okay, so it's not the most often used, but it can be quite significant when there is a gap. Isn't that true?
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
You're concerned that your members will be left behind by using the CPI-only formula.
President, National Police Federation
That's our members, as well as retired members and their spouses who receive death benefits once a retired member passes.
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Do you have thoughts on why the government would put a retroactivity clause in there? They said that they're not going to use it. What are your thoughts on why that would be included?
President, National Police Federation
As I mentioned earlier, I have trust issues. I am a police officer, and I think most police officers have trust issues. We are suspicious by nature.
I'm not sure why they would put that in there. Who knows what the motives are?
Liberal
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
Mr. Sauvé, to your knowledge, what was the last year that salaries were indexed?
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
I am talking about pensions. When was salary indexation used rather than CPI indexation?
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
It has been several years, has it not?
Recently, we have mainly been using the consumer price index.
Am I wrong?
President, National Police Federation
I am not certain of the year. I am almost certain that it occurred six times over the past 25 years.
Liberal
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
I understand that veterans are subject to this dual system.
Can you confirm that?
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
Other than veterans, does the federation know whether there are any other employees who are entitled to this dual indexation system?
President, National Police Federation
We have regular members of the RCMP, civilian members of the RCMP and RCMP retirees who are already receiving a disability pension from Veterans Affairs Canada.
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
Elsewhere in the public service, are there other employees who are entitled to the same dual indexation?
President, National Police Federation
No, because they are covered by the Government Employees Compensation Act. So they have access to their provincial or territorial compensation plan for such pensions.
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
You referred to the period before 2006 and the period after 2006 for veterans. Before 2006, they were entitled to indexation based on salary increases, and after 2006, they were not entitled to it.
Is that correct?
President, National Police Federation
That is correct. That is my understanding.
Before 2006, all veterans receiving a disability pension were covered by a grandfather clause under the new legislation, and they were entitled to both indexation formulas. However, after 2006, only indexation based on the consumer price index applies.
