Thank you for that.
I would like to see someone look at this question. Possibly these numbers are a lot worse in other jurisdictions, but we're here in Canada. These kinds of debt ratios are not sustainable, and I think they would obviously affect people's ability to save. They should also be factored in if you are looking at trying to lift people out of poverty. To look at their long-term horizons, at least, you need to put that into effect.
By the way, Ms. Smith, I disagree on one or two of your points, but your point about ensuring that there is a benefit for children beyond the first couple of years is absolutely correct, and it's something we support and agree with.
I want to get a couple of comments on the best way to support Canadians as we watch private systems and private pensions melt. We need to look at other models. Is looking at the infrastructure we already have the best way to deal with this?
We've already mentioned a bit of this, but as a party we proposed that CPP is one way to go. Increasing or doubling the CPP in terms of what it is now, from $908.75 to $1,817.50, would have the net effect of doubling the potential income from $11,000 to $22,000. We've also put forward the idea of increasing the guaranteed income supplement by $700 million to push that money out to people who need it. Finally, having a national pension insurance plan, as they do in other countries, would provide an insurance plan to backstop pension plans when they are in trouble.
Could I get feedback on those ideas and how they could help women who are having problems when they see their pensions melt away?