moved for leave to introduce Bill C-324, an act to replace the allowance provided by the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act with an allowance funded by members' contributions to assist their transition back to private life.
Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce in the House today my private member's bill on members of Parliament pensions.
This bill is based on input from my constituents and represents what the average Canadian feels an MPs pension plan should look like. Unlike the current government bill on this issue, my bill would do away with the cash for life plan in favour of a privately controlled RRSP style fund with no contributions from the taxpayer. My bill would allow MPs to plan ahead for the future or provide them with funds for transition back into private life.
This proposal is fair to all MPs as they will all be treated equally. There is none of this trough regular and trough light
which we hear from the other side that will result from the current government's amendments. More important, Madam Speaker, if you can hear me through the din, it is fairer to the taxpayers as they are no longer forced to foot the bill.
I present this bill on behalf of the people of Nanaimo-Cowichan and thank them for their help in its development. I hope all MPs will take the time to carefully review the bill and if nothing else, come to the realization that what Canadians want is real reform of the gold plated pension.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)