To the Editor:

Recently, changes to our Old Age Pension Plan system were announced that will, we are told, will not affect the typical Canadian for 12 years. If I was 54 after March 31, I’d be one of those effected and therefore should get used to the fact that since we now get older slowly, we shouldn’t expect to benefit from a system we have paid into for about 30. Thank you Ottawa.

One aspect of pension plan reform that didn’t get much press is the pensions we pay those wonderful members of Parliament who, by a stroke of a pen, took away two years of benefits we earned. If a lawyer or doctor builds a private pension system for themselves, or an industrial worker does the same, all power to them. But what about the $10.50 per house Manitoban working two jobs to feed his or her children, or put themselves through school. At the golden year of 67, both the poor man and the wealthy man get the same pension.

We hear lots of talk about transparency in government, so would somebody please respond to this letter and print the figures about what our illustrious retired members of Parliament receive as apposed to the average Canadian, in the way of pension.

If a doctor saves for 25 years or a miner works 30 years to achieve a generous pension and benefits – why should novice Parliamentarians be entitled to outrageously generous pension benefits while preaching to us – the forgotten taxpayers.

Angus Campbell
Thompson