Mr. Speaker, hopefully I will be brief and the leader of the Reform Party will be brief in his answer.
I listened very carefully to the presentation this afternoon. My understanding is, along with some other things, he wants to expand the RRSP system.
I would like to pose a question to the leader of the Reform Party stemming from his presentation this afternoon. Does he realize and is he considering in his Reform program, the fresh start program, that the CPP which came into being in 1966 actually has several aspects? It includes not only the retirement benefit plan but a disability option, a death benefit, and a benefit for spouses and children in the unfortunate or untimely death of the contributor. Are these not important aspects to the Reform Party?
I note with regard to his comments that in comparison the members' pension program was changed a year and a half ago. There are three important aspects of that program. The minimum retirement age was reduced to age 55 or increased to age 55. There had never been an age limit before. The reduction in benefits of over 20 per cent saved over $3 million in one year alone. It also eliminated double dipping which is something the Reform Party could check its members on.