Status of Women committee  I have frequently cited the example of childcare centres, which are not public organizations. Another major experience in Quebec was in the construction industry. The number of small companies is no higher, and it is not really that private. We are proposing two solutions that c

Status of Women committee  No.

Status of Women committee  First of all, the Guaranteed Income Supplement must be raised. Second, current clawbacks that apply to other income should be reviewed. In that respect, I agree with the recommendations I heard a little earlier. There is also a need to update the formula used to calculate the pe

Status of Women committee  The reason we insist on the need for guaranteed income is that we believe a fairer source of income must be found through the general taxation system—for example, to deal with situations such as the one the member's mother finds herself in, having spent little time in the labour

Status of Women committee  In any case, even if women's employment situation were to improve—something that we should all hope for—I agree that waving a magic wand will not make it happen. The fact remains that access to a pension fund, which allows you to accumulate money for retirement, will continue to

Status of Women committee  Perhaps Ms. Joncas can answer that question.

Status of Women committee  Our position on this, as we have said a number of times, is that we are in favour of exploring other avenues first. However, as far as we are concerned, one thing is clear: enhancements must be made to pension benefits for all Canadians. Of course, there is a cost attached to tha

Status of Women committee  Yes, we were, but it was nothing like the type of forum that is advisable. These things always happen at the last minute, which means that there is practically no time to prepare anything. As for the idea of a major summit on pensions, this was certainly nothing like that type of

Status of Women committee  Yes.

Status of Women committee  In terms of the CSN position, I support many of the comments that have already been made. I believe the first priority is to avoid weakening the public plans, at the very least. She is absolutely right when she says that our plans, be they private or public, are not geared to the

Status of Women committee  I would like to ask Ms. Joncas, who was the negotiator in this area, to answer your question.

Status of Women committee  Also, we do not feel it is appropriate for companies and the bargaining process alone to affect these realities. We need legislation to require the across-the-board implementation, of defined benefit pension plans. I would just like to add that the model which is strongly promote

Status of Women committee  I see this as a very serious issue. It's quite true that what happens to retirees when a bankruptcy occurs is absolutely devastating. However, before deciding that they should be preferred creditors in cases of bankruptcy, a great deal more thought has to be given to this. It is

Status of Women committee  I'm going to ask Ms. Joncas to answer.

Status of Women committee  Ms. Joncas will take your question.