Ottawa, Ontario - Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray – Athabasca, would like to remind all residents that consultations on Canada’s pension and retirement income are still ongoing, but the submission deadline of May 14, 2010 is fast approaching.

Your input on how best to ensure the ongoing strength of Canada’s retirement income system is an important part of the Conservative government’s cross-country consultation process.  Your views will go directly to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who will continue work on retirement income and pension issues at the next meeting of federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers.

“Our Conservative government has a strong record of helping seniors,” said Mr. Jean.  “We’ve reduced taxes, introduced pension income splitting, and developed innovative new ways for all Canadians to save, like the Tax-Free Savings Account.  We need to build on this strong record, and work with our partners in the provinces, to make the right choices on our retirement income system, in order to make it stronger and more sustainable.”

Mr. Jean urges you to participate in these consultations by submitting your position online at www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult/retirement-eng.asp or by mail to the following address:
 
Chris Forbes
Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch
Department of Finance
L'Esplanade Laurier, 15th Floor, East Tower
140 O'Connor Street
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0G5

“I have heard loud and clear from my constituents that retirement and pension issues are top of mind for them, and will be for years to come,” said MP Jean.  “We have a strong system in Canada, but we can work to make it stronger if we listen to the concerns that people have, and take smart and effective steps to deal with them.”

More details about the scope of the consultations can be found at the link above.  It is important to ensure that all views are submitted by May 14, 2010.