moved for leave to introduce Bill C-319, An Act to amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, the Judges Act, the Public Service Superannuation Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act (survivor pension benefits).
Mr. Speaker, the first bill I wish to introduce today addresses the paternalistic legislation that prevents veterans, the RCMP, judges, and public sector employees, who choose to marry after the age of 60, from providing pension benefits after their death to their spouses.
As we age, we depend more and more on our spouses for care. Sometimes these can be the most difficult years of one's life. Spouses have a right to access pension benefits no matter at what age the relationship began, no matter when love began. The bill corrects this injustice.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)