Status of Women committee  Yes, a document was sent out with questions relating to the possibility of… obstacles to industry-wide plans; so, there were several consultations. I believe this was done in all the provinces. The consultations were held in several places. We had an opportunity to express our views, but the questions we were asked to answer were quite narrow.

Status of Women committee  There is no doubt that, in every sector, be it the construction industry in Quebec or daycare centres, when there is a desire to establish an industry-wide plan, there must also be a government desire to set up such a plan, in order to lessen the burden of employers or force them to contribute to a plan based on conditions that are somewhat different from traditional plans—in other words, multi-employer plans.

Status of Women committee  Yes, yes.

Status of Women committee  Good afternoon. In terms of enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan, I just want to point out that there is currently a very significant intergenerational transfer. Indeed, young people are paying almost 200% of the value of the benefits they will receive.

Status of Women committee  Good afternoon. Indeed, women are highly dependent on public plans; you heard the statistics. One of the reasons for that is that they do not have access to defined benefit plans or good plans where they work. Because of the structure of industry, the major pension plans are sponsored mainly by large companies.