✘ Bill C-319 (amount of full pension)

Bill

Bill C-319, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

Bill C-319 proposes two sets of amendments to the OAS Act. The first amendment would increase the Old Age Security (OAS) by 10% for seniors aged between 65 and 74. In 2022 our government increased OAS by 10% for seniors 75 and above. The Bloc would like this increase to extend to all seniors as they state that the change has created two classes of seniors and that all seniors need increased financial security. We disagree, as the increase for older seniors over 75 was deliberate since older seniors are in greater need of additional support as they are more likely to outlive their savings, be unable to work, be widowed, and have increased health care needs. The second amendment would raise the GIS Earnings Exemption, by providing a full exemption on the first $6,500 of annual earnings. We oppose this as our government, in 2019, already raised the GIS Earnings Exemption from $3500 to $5000 and partial exemption of 50% for earning between $5,001 to $10,000 for each GIS or Allowance recipient, as well as their spouse. We also extended earnings to apply to both employment and self-employment income.

Passed.

Bill Status

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

✔︎ Bill C-228, Pension Protection Act

Bill

Bill C-228, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

Bill C-228 gives “super-priority” for unpaid special payments and unfunded pension liabilities for defined benefit pension plans in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act liquidations, and BIA and Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act restructurings.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

✘ C-405 (Pension Plans)

Bill

C-405: An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (pension plans).

Second Reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

I did not support this bill regarding pension plans because it does not align with our government's values

Result

Defeated.