Finance committee  Yes, in accordance with legislation, there are pension advisory groups under each superannuation act. These pension advisory committees were consulted leading up to these changes.

Finance committee  They were constructive conversations, clearly, on the employee side. This was not something they were happy to embrace, but they were very constructive conversations, and they understand the pension plan.

Finance committee  These changes were specific to the pension plan. We aren't really well positioned to address compensation strategies on behalf of the government.

Finance committee  The net liability for the public sector plans is about $150 billion—$149 billion.

Finance committee  What will the impact of these changes be? These changes don't change the funding of the plans. They just change the cost sharing of the plans.

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  Do you mean specific to the changes we are making?

Finance committee  I'm not sure what you mean by the structure of the liability.

Finance committee  I can't speak as an accountant, but generally it's the annual current service amounts that affect the government on a budgetary basis. The overall pension liability is carried in the Public Accounts of Canada.

Finance committee  My name is Kathleen Kelly, and I am the executive director of pension policy and programs at Treasury Board Secretariat. I am here with Joan Arnold, senior director, legislation, authorities, and litigation management, and Kim Gowing, director, pension program management and re