Finance committee  The guaranteed income supplement program is very well designed. Any country would benefit from a program like that to alleviate poverty amongst seniors. The program is doing a very good job, although the level of support might be increased a little bit.

Finance committee  As I said in my presentation, I have tabled a brief to that effect. The OAS is paying money on the basis of residence tests rather than need. The goal of OAS and GIS should be mainly to address poverty needs. Whatever changes we make to those programs, I don't see how they could achieve what you are suggesting, the incentive for people to stay at work.

Finance committee  The fear is justified, but it doesn't really happen that way. When the Canada and Quebec pension plans were launched in 1966, and when tax rates increased from 3.6% to 9.9% between 1987 and 1989, it was difficult for small businesses, but they were able to absorb these additional costs.

Finance committee  Instead of being changed drastically at one point of time, the age of entitlement should be based on the year of birth. The later people are born, the longer they will live. So the age of entitlement should be based on the year of birth, for example 65 years for people born in 1950, by increasing it by two or three months depending on the year of birth.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr Chair. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to present a major plan to you this morning. The intent is to alleviate rates of poverty, not only among seniors, but also among all Canadians. The plan could be carried out completely within the context of pensions in Canada.