The Canada pension plan must be adjusted to have a semblance of fairness that will be accepted by all generations.
Therefore, the earlier proposal made by the Reform Party to create a super RRSP is also unacceptable.
Under a system of super RRSPs, the government would have to guarantee a basic income for retirees, either through a minimum annuity or a separate assistance plan. In both cases, major costs would be associated with such a type of guaranteed minimum income. Again, the Bloc Quebecois never advocated the end of the Canada pension plan.
In my first speech on Bill C-2, I mentioned that the United Nations had declared 1999 the international year of the elderly, to pay tribute to our seniors. The theme promotes a society for all ages by developing greater public awareness regarding the essential role played by seniors in every field of activity. The international year of the elderly should promote the principles aimed at improving our seniors' quality of life by emphasizing autonomy, participation and care.
It goes without saying that the Canada pension plan is obsolete and no longer meets the public's requirements. I hope that, as the UN international year, 1999 will be special, because the Bloc Quebecois supports the objectives of the reform.
However, we urge the government to be very vigilant and to adopt the appropriate amendments.