MPs return to Ottawa to tackle pension, budget issues
Posted Jan 30, 2012 05:35:05 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Changes to pensions for seniors and the federal budget will be the focus of their work as members of Parliament return to Ottawa today.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper hinted at changes to pensions last week when he spoke in Switzerland during the World Economic Forum.
Ted Menzies, the secretary of state for finance, says all options for changing both public and private retirement systems are on the table.
Those options could include moving the eligibility age for Old Age Security to 67 from the current 65.
Critics of the initiative complain the Conservatives made no hints at cutbacks to pensions during last year’s federal election.
But a memo to Tory MPs from Harper’s office tells them to counter opposition attacks by pledging there will be substantial notice and an adjustment period so any cuts don’t impact benefits for people close to retirement.
