Mr. Speaker, information acquired through access to information reveals that federal deputy ministers are receiving special retirement allowances of up to $30,000 per year on top of their regular pensions.
The Treasury Board document points out this additional benefit to federal deputy ministers is equal to 2 per cent of the retiree's average salary during their six best years. This bonus is multiplied by the number of years a deputy minister works to a maximum of 10 years. The document states: "There is no minimum vesting period and no contributions are required from the deputy ministers".
The government has just cut 45,000 public servants from the payroll. There are also substantial cuts to agriculture and social programs. In view of these facts, will the finance minister and his Liberal government immediately rescind this abominable perk, this golden parachute enjoyed by richly paid deputy ministers? Or, will the highest paid civil servants continue to be protected and insulated by the Liberals from the harsh realities others in Canada with lesser incomes are now facing?