Taxpayer watchdog calls for changes to MP’s pension plan
Posted May 6, 2011 7:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – A taxpayer watchdog is calling on the federal government to change its lucrative pension plan for members of parliament.
The Canadian Taxpayer Federation is calling it a massive waste of money, with $111-million being paid in pensions to MP’s who quit or were not elected in the last election.
The federation has written a letter to both the Prime Minister and the new Leader of the Opposition, asking them to work together to reform the plan.
Most private pension plans are matched dollar for dollar but our federal politicians get $4 of taxpayer money for every $1 they contribute.
Derek Fildebrandt of the CTF told 680News this has led to some stunning payout’s.
“The biggest winner is retiring Speaker of the House Peter Milliken. He is going to get $149-thousand a year. Very close behind him is Gilles Duceppe, the former leader of the Bloc Quebecois, who will collect $141-thousand a year for the rest of his life,” said Fildebrandt.
He said his organization is calling on the government to follow the pension practices of private companies and that MP’s should not be rewarding themselves with Canadian taxpayer’s money.
A petition has been set up on the CTF’s website and the group is urging all Canadians to call their member of parliament to express their concerns.
