Posted: Monday, 7 June 2010

ST. JOHN’S – An improved Canada Pension Plan is the best way to guarantee the retirement security of Canadians, according to Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, and His Worship Dennis O’Keefe, the mayor of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The two leaders made their comments at a joint news conference on Monday, June 7.

“The labour movement is strongly advocating an enhanced CPP as the cornerstone of pension reform,” Georgetti said. “We are delighted that Canada’s mayors and city councillors agree with us.” The Federation of Canadian Municipalities called in its recent convention for an expansion of the CPP, a position similar to that of the CLC.

“The recent economic downturn has placed the retirement security of many workers at risk and that has a direct impact on our cities and towns,” said Mayor O’Keefe. “We are the front line providers of social services and support programs for older workers and retirees. We believe that an improved Canada pension plan is the best way to go in providing people with dignity and security in retirement.”

Federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers will meet in Prince Edward Island on June 13 and 14 to discuss pension reform. The CLC proposes a phased‑in expansion of CPP benefits over time. “There is no excuse for Canada’s finance ministers to drag their feet on pension reform,” Georgetti said. “Mayors and councillors understand that we have a pensions crisis, and it’s high time that our finance ministers share this urgency and commit to an improved Canada Pension Plan.”

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada’s national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils. Web site: www.canadianlabour.ca

Contacts: Dennis Gruending, CLC Communications
               Tel: 613-526-7431 or Mobile: 613-878-6040
               Email: dgruending@clc-ctc.ca