I understand.
Evidence of meeting #12 for Veterans Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was years.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #12 for Veterans Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was years.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2:50 p.m.
President, National Association of Federal Retirees
The purpose of the investments is to eventually pay all the pensions based on investments. From year to year this increases and we have had a good return this year. It should be said that PSP Investments invests the contributions of all three plans, not just the government pension plan. It's not up to them to decide if there are any changes.
2:50 p.m.
President, National Association of Federal Retirees
It's hard to say.
I don't really have an answer to that, but maybe Mr. Imbeau does.
2:50 p.m.
Advocacy and Policy Officer, National Association of Federal Retirees
I'm not sure yet, as I haven't seen the new figures. They are usually released in May or June.
2:50 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
All right.
We may not have completed our study. If you could send us these figures, we would be very grateful. It would allow us to elucidate this whole aspect of the availability or non-availability of funds.
If not, Mr. Soulière, what increase in contributions would be required at this time to meet this request or these two components?
2:50 p.m.
President, National Association of Federal Retirees
This is a very difficult question to answer, and I don't know if I can answer it adequately on a Friday afternoon.
Let's just say that at the moment, the contributions are equally divided. There are employer contributions and employee contributions, which are each 50%.
I think the unions would be fiercely opposed to any changes. They have fought to prevent this equal sharing. So I think the answer to that question is probably no.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
I now yield the floor to Ms. Blaney, and must inform her that Mr. Desilets took Mr. Caputo's 30 seconds.
Madame Blaney, go ahead, for two and a half minutes, please.
2:50 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
That is not fair, Chair.
I would like to ask a couple of question of Norma.
I want to say first of all that Walter's devotion to you is very apparent to all of us in this room. I want to thank both of you, because you've had to be incredibly honest about the reality you're living. That's something we need to hear, but I also feel very uncomfortable that, to look at it, you have to put your hearts on the table in this way for us. I want to recognize that first.
Norma, in your testimony, you said something really important to me about the dedication to family, that it's not just about the two of you, but it is about a son that you're caring for and also a granddaughter.
Could you speak to us about the impact it will have on those relationships, and your responsibility if you are without Walter and without that part of your economic benefit?
2:55 p.m.
As an Individual
It probably means that I would not be able to help in some ways that I would really like to help. Things change so much over time. When Walt and I made our decision to opt out of the pension, nobody anticipated that it would be $2.03 for a litre of gas and that sort of thing, right?
With our grandchild, she is a verbal autistic, but she will never be able to live independently. I take that burden as my own. Walt's older son has some government supports, but as I said, nothing is ever certain. For me, the granddaughter is a liability and a responsibility that I take very seriously. We already help with her schooling, and we help with things like music lessons, etc. Once Poppy is gone, Nanny Norma takes the same responsibility.
2:55 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Without the same resources, and I think that's what is so important.
2:55 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
After so many years of marriage, building a family, you feel that without that financial support you won't be able to do the duties that you are responsible for.
2:55 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Thank you for that. That honesty, I think, is absolutely imperative. I just want to say to Walt that I believe that Norma is worth it, and I promise to continue this fight for as long as it takes.
Thank you both. Thank you, all.
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you so much, Ms. Blaney.
Ladies and gentlemen, with these comments we will conclude the session.
I want to thank all the witnesses for participating in this study. As you know, this is the first meeting. We will have two more meetings. So I invite you to write to us if you have any further information for us. I can even go so far as to say that, by the end of the parliamentary session, the committee will surely have time to produce a report and make recommendations. So please do not hesitate to write to us and tell us what you would like to see in that report.
April 29th, 2022 / 2:55 p.m.
Liberal
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
You said earlier that perhaps we would have time for a short question or comment before we finish.
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
That's right.
Ms. Cathay Wagantall also wanted to speak.
I will allow 30 seconds each for your interventions and 30 seconds for the response.
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you for your testimony, all of you, and for your service. It's extremely touching but also difficult to listen to. To think that as we move forward, challenges will get greater for financial issues is very important to note.
My only comment is that this is long-standing. Since 1994, nine private members' bills were tabled in the House of Commons. It's been a challenge now for over 30 years, and so we need to get to work on this.
Thank you.
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you so much.
Mrs. Wagantall, would you like to say something?