Time to Reform bloated MP pensions.. from the Canadian Taxpayer Federation

Islandgirl

Well-Known Member
"The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has sent letters to Opposition Leader Jack Layton and Prime Minister Stephen Harper urging them to reach across the aisle and reform bloated parliamentary pensions.

Can you think of a better way to set a new tone in Parliament?

The CTF has been in the headlines this week after releasing calculations showing 113 defeated and retired MPs from the 2011 General Election will collect a cumulative $112 million in estimated lifetime pension benefits. Former Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe for example, will rake in $141,000 a year, fully indexed for life. That’s nearly $3-million by the time he reaches age 80.

These kind of self-serving arrangements feed voter cynicism and apathy. They must end! And maybe – just maybe – after 4 elections in the last 7 years our elected officials are ready to shelve all the posturing and truly set a new tone for politics in our country.

Can you take a minute right now and do two things:

1. E-mail Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Harper.S@parl.gc.ca) and Opposition Leader Jack Layton (Layton.J@parl.gc.ca). Congratulate them on their historic success in the recent campaign and urge them to reform Parliamentary pensions to a self-funding arrangement whereby taxpayers match MP contributions dollar-for-dollar. Currently, taxpayers cough up $4 for every $1 contributed by an MP. You can cc your e-mail to us at updates@taxpayer.com;

2. Forward this e-mail to your contacts. Encourage them to JOIN the CTF at no cost, and sign our Reform MP Pension Petition. Our influence grows as our numbers grow.

We have set up a Reform MP Pensions Campaign Page. Please check back for updates and responses to our letters to the leaders.

Thanks for all you do,

--Troy, Derek, Courtenay, Shannon and the rest of the team"
 
And we wonder how come we're running a deficit and where all the money goes. Only job on the planet where you get paid $140+ K for life for getting fired.
 
Huge overruns on the Nanaimo white elephant convention centre, doubled costs for the cruise ship dock, now a sucker estimate for the railway rehab on the Island railway. Nothing new with the MP pension ripoff.
 
Holding political office should not be a career.
Politicians will tell the public anything that they want to hear so that they will get re-elected and be eligble for the indexed pensions.
The answer is to limit politicians to two terms(lifetime) at either the provincial or federal level.
Pay them extremely well during their term .....and after their term.......back to the real world....no pension.
There are many who are capable of running this country
 
I like some of the elected ndp in quebec, I think there is 3 still in university and now are making 150k a year, plus the best heath care package, it has to change
 
You know...... you want to attract the best politicians you can. Its no joy doing that job. Take away the pensions and it just reduces any incentive at all to contemplate taking on the job. That pension isn't out of line with people who have senior exec roles for most companies in this country. Why shouldn't elected officials at that level get the same as those in the private sector? I want the best political leaders we can get. Its a 24 hour 7 day a week responsiblity......and, there running our fricking country. I'd encourage you to run during the next election and raise your hand to turn your pension over to your local salmon enhancement program if you really think its out of line. Maybe do the same with the salary. Just one mans view...........
 
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You know...... you want to attract the best politicians you can. Its a no joy doing that job. Take away the pensions and it just reduces any incentive at all to contemplate taking on the job. That pension isn't out of line with people who have senior exec roles for most companies in this country. Why shouldn't elected officials at that level get the same as those in the private sector? I want the best political leaders we can get. Its a 24 hour 7 day a week responsiblity......and, there running our fricking country. I'd encourage you to run during the next election and raise your hand to turn your pension over to your local salmon enhancement program if you really think its out of line. Maybe do the same with the salary. Just one mans view...........

Point very well made, we are damned if we do and damned if we don't. When we rely on the rich to go in because they have money and time they arrange more money and more time for themselves, and if we pay the average joe the good buck he goes in and gets bought out by the rich!
 
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