Mr. Chairman, dealing with clause 6 of Bill C-47, I was wondering about subclause (6) which deals with the eligibility for this new supplementary severance allowance.
My understanding is that under the existing Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act when an MP reaches the age of 55 they qualify for the MP pension. In fact, there is a phase-in period of one year, from 54 to 55, built into the act. When they qualify for the MP pension, they no longer qualify for the standard six-month severance that all members of parliament qualify for, regardless of whether they are in or out of the pension plan.
I wonder if the hon. minister could clarify for us, under clause 6, whether those MPs who are not in the MP pension plan who reach age 55 will qualify for the six-month standard severance, plus the additional supplementary severance allowance at the time they retire, or when they are not re-elected, if they are 55 or over.