We responded to the Harry Arthur pension commission in Ontario. They had a very interesting suggestion of an alternative plan that could focus on workers who are at minimum wage, who work for small employers where there are no options for pension plans. There can be a way of looking at that large group of workers and maybe developing another form of pension plan that would at least give them something. Yes, workers should be investing for the future. We know they are not, and Statistics Canada has pointed that out. But many workers can't afford to invest because they are low-wage workers; they are marginal in the labour force. We suggest looking at some other form of contributory plan that could be targeted to the specific population.
On November 24th, 2009. See this statement in context.