Conservative MPs push back on OAS musings

Canada's Old Age Security system is a little more secure after the prime minister got an earful from concerned MPs. Pensions will no longer be part of the package when the federal budget is tabled. Ottawa's Bureau Chief Robert Fife has the details.

Question period: Rae and Harper debate

Liberal leader Bob Rae accuses the government of not protecting seniors, but Prime Minister Stephen Harper fires back, saying the Liberals are fear mongering.

National Affairs: Economic ties with the Middle East

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is in Jerusalem, and discusses Canada's economic relationship with Israel and the Palestinian authority.

CTV News: Ottawa in damage control over OAS

The Conservative government has gone into damage control and is retreating from plans to hike old age pensions from age 65 to 67. Robert Fife has more on the reaction from angry constituents.

CTV News Channel: Nycole Turmel on seniors

The interim leader of the NDP says the party wants to ensure the elderly have the money to be able to live freely till the end of their lives.

CTV News Channel: Opposition motion planned

Mercedes Stephenson says the NDP is planning to file a motion Thursday, calling on the Harper government to cease their plan to increase the age of the OAS to 67.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Wed. Feb. 1 2012 11:13 PM ET

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's musings about possible changes to Old Age Security have resulted in a public backlash -- and complaints from his own MPs.

Conservative MPs have been overwhelmed with emails and phone calls from constituents who have been concerned about their retirement pensions since Harper mused on the need to revise OAS last week in Davos.

Sources have told CTV News that MPs told Harper during a Conservative caucus meeting Wednesday that reforming pensions "is not a vote winner" and complained they were taken by surprise by the plan.

The government has since toned down their language from the "transformative" changes that Harper spoke about in Davos.

"It's a review . . . to make sure we have a sustainable, long-term fiscal plan for our country," Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told CTV.

He also said that the upcoming federal budget will have nothing to do with OAS.

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae has been hammering the Conservatives for the past week on the issue.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rae said only a public opinion backlash can stop the Harper government from cutting OAS.

It is believed the Conservatives had planned to raise the age of eligibility for OAS to 67 from 65. The government has not denied those reports when questioned by the opposition or the media.

In less than a week, 12,000 Canadians have signed an online petition started by the Liberals protesting potential cuts to OAS.

Rae warns that raising the age of eligibility for OAS would cut seniors off of the Guaranteed Income Supplement and download costs on to provincial governments.

Harper insists seniors currently receiving benefits and those about to retire won't lose a single dollar.

OAS keeps seniors out of poverty: report

A new report prepared for the government says old-age benefits are a key factor in keeping seniors out of poverty.

The 80-page report says without OAS or the Guaranteed Income Supplement, more than a third of women and a quarter of men in their 60s would fall under the poverty line.

"The OAS programs have a significant influence on in the incidence of low income," wrote the report's author, Richard Shillington.

By region, seniors in the Maritimes and the North have the most need for government assistance.

Women, who live longer on average, have more need for benefits.

The paper, called Evaluation of the Old Age Security Program was written by Shillington in 2009, and prepared for the Human Resources Department.

The paper was obtained by the Canadian Labour Congress under an access-to-information request and given to The Canadian Press.

Andrew Jackson, chief economist of the Canadian Labour Congress, says the number of seniors receiving pension benefits will double by 2030.

"A lot of people approaching retirement are not on employer-pension plans which previous seniors were," he added on CTV's Power Play. "And a lot of people are up to their ears in debt and are not saving very much."

Jackson said working longer is not an option for all seniors and if the age of eligibility goes up, it will hurt those in the lower-income brackets the most.

With files from CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife

Comments are now closed for this story

KJ in Kingston Ontario
said

If the government in Ottawa and Ontario managed to toss away many billions of dollars in bailouts of super rich UAW pensions -- then they better find away of paying the people with rich pension plans their few hundred dollars per month as promised. Lord knows the gap between those with pensions and the rest without is already immense enough.

Raymond
said

Somebody's going to have to make changes to OAS sooner or later. I applaud this move & hope it happens soon. The 'free stuff' era is coming to an end.

Sue
said

Cut down on socialist programs like the military & the police, these people don't produce anything they just suck tax dollars out of us then they collect a pension. Leave the old folks alone Steve.

pensions101
said

Changes were made to the CPP. Look up bill c-51. Why has the PM Harper's media machine not advertise how negative these changes are? Instead we keep seeing the same CRA DND and EAP commercials on tv and radio. Come on Ottawa tell the people about Bill C-51.

Wendy
said

Marg MM We think people are paid because we just can't believe that anyone is crazy enough to support this government without being paid.

AndiB
said

It is only fair enough that if old age people overwhelmingly voted Conservative, they should be the one that foot the bill and pay for their services. How did you think the government is going to finance for the billion dollar fiasco that is a bunch of overpriced fighter jets? Asking older people to working two more years should be fair enough to repair OAS and get one or two more jets, it is a perfect plan!

Dan
said

Harper got voted in folks. This is what many of you asked for. It's not like we didn't expect him to behave the way he does.

Dan
said

I have no problem with raising the age to 67, as long as all public sector employees including MP'S do the same. Currently it is 55, now that is a koke!

Taxpayer
said

29 billion for 65 jets or support the people who built the country. I wonder what the big corps are telling Steve and the Cons to do. The other option to allow the present workers to pay the cost but deny them their own benefit is a stroke of Genius that could only come from a Government that took a surplus and turned it into deficit 2 years before the recession. Again, everything they touch turns to garbage.

Deek Bauer
said

@MJPB - We have not "paid into" OAS - it stopped being a separate account in the 1970s because it was not self-funding and had to be topped up from general revenue. OAS comes from general revenues and comes from current tax dollars - it is not self-funding like CPP. If I remember correctly, the OAS program cost between $20 and $25 billion a year, making it the biggest item in government spending. OAS has to be fixed: seniors who have about $60,000 in income still receive full benefits of about $500 a month. Even if you have $70,000 a year in income, you still receive a small OAS payment. The OAS system is unfair and unsustainable. It has to be changed. The upper cutoff has to be lowered and more money has to be given to low-income seniors.

MARG MM
said

How about we start up a petition to lower MP's pensions, and raise the age that they can collect, and see if Bob Rae would be willing to sign it!!! I imagine he would distance himself from that one. As it is, the Government has not said anything specific about what they would do regarding OAS,only that it will be reviewed, but if they do anything then the pensions of MP's should be reviewed and the age that they collect raised as well. Putting the cart before the horse and fearmongering doesn't make Bob Rae stand out as leadership material. When something concrete is decided, then is the time to agree or disagree. Oh, by the way, contrary to the belief of some, I am NOT being paid to comment, but do wonder why the Liberal/NDP crowd seem to think that any comment that is pro Conservative must be a "paid" one. Does that mean that you are being paid, so we must be too????

Pat in Mississauga
said

Enough, Mr. Rae, get on with cutting bloated government employee pensions and bloated MP pensions. Then the OAS won't have to be touched. Are you going to step up to the plate and make it happen?

allan
said

Wake up Canada, it is 2012, not 1960, lifespans have increased drastically, and we cannot afford to pension people off after retirement for 40 years.If Libs/NDP gain power we would be Greece within a very short time. They have nothing to offer a modern , dynamic country.On another note, anybody notice the NDP/Libs dont tallk about the native communities burning down anymore? This is because they have no policies and are only ambulance chasers.

magaret
said

I say all those on Guaranteed gov pensions reduce theirs...this country is going down the fast road to hell. Harper is so far up the USA ....Mp's are over paid sheep who have no planned difference in the amounts they are receiving. Tighten the belts on the sheep...or have some of them stand up for what is right, The pension fund is $$$ the gov have demanded from us through all our working years , where, if we had been able to keep the capital for investments we may even be able to retire earlier! If you are 60 apply right away , I always knew they would do this. Same with the tax rate paid on RRSP withdrawals ...its all a scam. Do for yourself not the government, it is what they do ...lining their own nests on our labors!

Carol Thor
said

The solution is this:Jobs that are quality , permanent with a decent wage so that employees are paying taxes, CPP to go back into the Federal coffers for disbursment.The Budget will never be balanced with the majority of taxpayers in part time mediocre jobs that have no stability. Why slash jobs? Then there are less people paying their share and trying to collect from E.I. Doesn't make sense to me.By the way, I already do receive the Old Age so it apparently won't affect me so I don't have a political bias.

Greg Barnstable
said

If Harper forces Canadians to choose between guns and butter, the classic economic options in times of scarce resources, Canadians will always choose butter. It's not just human nature; it's a question of having food on the table. If he were an economist or a sociologist, Harper would understand this. For Conservatives who don't quite get this, substitute F35s and warships for "guns" and pensions for "butter".

senior taxpayer
said

listen conservative MPs, the next federal election will not be a reckless unwanted election, and it will be goodbye to Chalie Brown strong stable conservative majority government. Your leader blew it with his hidden senior pension agenda.

Rob
said

Flood your MPs office with email and ask them where is their conscience and then ask them to cross the floor of the house of commons enmasse and make Canada what Canadians really want a people that are not divided a people that support the centre and not ultra left wing or ultra right wing ideaologies. This is what the majority of Canadians truly desire.Make your MPs vote based on what their constituents want, tell them you want them all to be independants, that is the only way we can have democracy!!The only thing left to lose today is your democratic right as a Canadain, please help your country because political parties realy do not care about you and me.

Matt, Guelph
said

Ha - as usual, as soon as any negative press is out on the Conservative party, the commenters are out in force making this all about how bad Bob Rae is. Before him it was Ignatieff. Seriously, are Conservative supporters able to put together a valid argument rather than dumping on the people who try to hold them to account as an automatic reaction?

Embarrassed
said

The level of ignorance in these posts is embarrasing. CPP does not eaqual OAS. For those of you who call it an entitlement. SERIOUSLY? For those of you who suggest you paid into it and deserve it. Wow you have no clue.

liz
said

they the government should leave well enough alone and leave the old age pension at 65 years ofage most people want to retire at 65 not67 . why does government got to change the rules now? why do the government force the hand of the people?the people have to learn to speak up and voice their opinions and not back down from government the people have spoken/

Haly
said

If Canada's fiscal financial situation is as bad as PM Harper says, why doesn't the Harper Government make changes to the members of Parliament�s pension plan first? Most Canadians know our MP's deserve a pension, but let us be honest, should these MPs get so much more than ordinary Canadians after 6 years of service? MP's who have served 6 years will qualify for a pretty generous and indexed pension. So, PM Harper, how about you taking care of the MP's pension issue first by reducing the benefits so they are more in line with real hard working Canadians� public pensions? If MP Harper can do this, I will suck it up and work until I am 67 years old, and settle for less.

Lanny
said

Why are all the conservative supporters whining? They knew what they were getting before the elections. Harper only cares about the people that don't need any help from the government. Only the rich can contribute to his campaign fundraisers!

Denise in Alberta
said

John in Calgary and others who are confused by this.CPP and OAS are entirely different. OAS is something that you receive at 65 but you do not pay into (other than regular tax deductions), quite unlike CPP.The maximum that a senior can recieve from OAS is $523.24/mo (2011). The clawback threshold for that is $67,688 per year (again 2011).Perhaps that clawback threshold needs to be reviewed. I don`t think (as a soon to be senior who wants these benefits and I am in no way close to that kind of income in retirement) that I would have difficulty with reducing the clawback limit to a far lower income.Say perhaps in the $45K per year per person (net).But at the same time, the gold plated pensions of MPs also need to be reviewed and reformed.

Rob
said

It seems to me we were better off with a minority government, what we now have is a dictatorship, sad day In Canada, all the wealth we are producing can not be done without hard working Canadians, has now been handed over to the large corporation this is a sad state of affairs here in Canada.The reality is taxbreaks are only for those affluent enough to afford them.Let us get back to the centre and away from the left and the right ,until then we the middle class are doomed to see our standard of living continue to fall and our expenses grow.Is Canada a country of people or is it all owned by Corporations, and why is there so much corporate welfare? The question we must ask, is our Government working to make us a better society or are they only working to make sure the corporations dictate to the citizens the type of society they want?The greed and sense of entitlements must stop but not on the backs of our decent honest society that most true Canadians cherish.

Constance
said

It's a good tactic. When you need to tackle the deficit that you created, be sure to pick on the people who have the least power to fight back. Whatever you do, don't "confront" those who are well-heeled and living high off the hog as corporate welfare bums. After all, those happy wealthy people are the ones who contribute to your election campaigns and it wouldn't do to antagonize them. OAS should be increased, or prime ministers, senators and MP's should be forced to live on it for a couple of years. And that money for OAS doesn't come from nowhere, it came off our taxes for all the years we were working. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the comfortable tax breaks enjoyed by the few. The prime minister, the MP's of his party and no doubt some from other parties are in a clear conflict of interest when those who back them financially are left unscathed by any cuts that might gore their oxen. They are also guilty of outright deception when they attempt to make radical changes that were not mentioned during an election campaign. Maybe it is time for Canadians to examine the possibility of recalling this particular government, one MP at a time. Four years is too long to wait.

rickran
said

When is the government going to have an INDEPENDENT review of the pensions for MPs. Their pension is outright stealing from the citizens of Canada. The majority of MPs could not hold down a decent job.

Ray from Thunder Bay
said

Do not jump all over the Liberals it is the Conservatives that are pulling all the fast sneaky tricks whilen they have a majority. Perhaps we should bring Mulroney back he was a lot more sly while sticking it to the voters. Why dont the MPs all cut their pensions in half and put it into the CPP plan. All three parties of MPs

Earl
said

Can't really put into words how sick and tired I am of hearing Boob Rae and his incessant whining and mud slinging. For someone who very nearly sent Ontario into bankruptcy, turned tail and became a grit and to now without any platforms of his own continues to take the sides of worthless issues.
He loves Omar Khadr, points the finger of blame at Harper for the failures at Attawapiskat while he did zero while he was in office etc., etc., etc.
RETIRE Bob..... PLEASE. You're making a complete fool of yourself.

Free room and board
said

If we are building new expensive prisons when the crime rate is falling ,let us kill two birds with one stone.Put our seniors in jail.Problem solved.Free room and board.No CPP or OAS needs to be paid other than to our politicians.Perfect Harper solution

Laurel in Alberta
said

It is interesting how politicians talk about cutting benefits to the taxpayers....ie: pensions, social services, infrastructure, education, health care....but you never hear them say they need to cut their defined benefit pension plan. If CPP rates were just increased slightly, less than $1 for every $100, retirees would increase their CPP benefit. We also need to look at taxing corporations their fair share. In a capitalist society, the CAPITALIST is supposed to be held accountable when things go wrong. It seems to me that they got away with ruining the economy by their greed, and the working people of the world are paying the price.

Ottawa Jack
said

Having just read through all the postings, I have come to the conclusion that most people do not understand the difference between the CPP & the OAS. The CPP is a funded plan paid for by working Canadians. There has been no mention of any changes to the CPP.The OAS is not a funded plan ( i.e.noboby makes direct contributions ) and is paid for by general government revenues. There has only benn a suggestion that the start age may be DEFERRED by 2 years ( not CUT-OUT as the fear-mongers state )The CTV would gain some credibility on this issue ,if these differences were clearly explained in the next news item. That explanation may also help rediuce the number of posters who have absolutely no clue what they are talking about, but just rant with predictable, repetitive partisan politics.Please post this.Have a good day.

Don
said

Prof Pye Chartt and Bar Code ..This is comical

Troop (not in the streets
said

Actually bar graph, the liberals have always been the kings of the attack ad and fear mongering. Forgotten "troops in the streets ......I am not kidding"?

Vanc Guy
said

Bob Rae should be ashamed of himself. The PM is doing the responsible thing and unlike the old thieving Liberals makes decisions based on the welfare of our country - not his party! Keep up the great work PM Harper!! Canadians support you!

Guelph Observer
said

The only person fear-mongering on this issue is Mr. Harper himself. He didn't have the guts to put this issue in front of Canadians during the election campaign. He didn't have the guts to put this idea before parliament or to issue a policy paper to Canadians to let us know what he is thinking and give us an opportunity to provide input. Instead he jet-setted off to Europe to put his ideas forward to a disinterested audience. Given his close-minded idiologically driven approach over the last 6 years, Canadians have every reason to expect the worst.

senior taxpayer
said

The expert on fear mongering is you Mr. Harper, Remember the election attack ads. The increasing of OAS from 65 to 67 is a tax grab,, A couple born in 1948 will lose approximately $24.000 in OAS payments. With this saving the conservatives will be able to pay for all the stupid decisions the conservatives made like the 15% corporate tax breaks... now this is not fear mongering and it is a tax grab from Seniors. Again I repeat, if Mr. Harper is so concerned about future impacts then why did the conservatives increase parliament by 30 seats. Where will the taxes come from to pay for this? Will it come from the OAS cuts? Now this is not again fear mongering.. We are fortunate to have the oppostion parties NDP and Liberals fighting for the senior because these reckless conservatives sure don't care about us.

FCS
said

The Liberals fear mongering? no way ! What's next they are going to tell us water is wet ? Everyone knows the OAS is going to collapse unless there are reforms, including the Liberals. To say any different is just playing politics with a very serious issue.

TEA from Sask
said

It's funny how the Liberals squawk about the old age pension but not about their own...hypocrites...

Louis
said

I retired in 2007 and will be 65 in a little over two years. I took CPP at age 60 because I calculated that I would not start "losing money" on it until age 77. Raising the age to 67 for OAS is not an issue for me as the amount I would get is not significant. What IS an issue for me though is those fat pensions that the MPs get. Not surprisingly, Rae is mum on that subject.

Lorne
said

If the Liberals are fear-mongering, then Harper is lying through his teeth.The forum he chose to make the announcement was out of order.But then again, this is just Harper's arrogance showing through.Harper is a weasel and will continue to be one.

KC BC
said

This was a clever way to achieve a national discussion on entitlements. Good for the PM. Get all the Chicken Littles whining out of the way so a rational debate can be made. Free stuff is NOT sacred. Well planned policy is needed here and perhaps major reform.The people providing the free stuff are running out of money. The poorest will be taken care of, they always are.

Greg
said

If the government was doing a good job with our tax dollars they'd be lowering the age not raising it. Harper has been spending like a drunken sailor creating a massive debt for Canadians, now he wants to steal money from the elderly to pay for his wasteful spending. Hopefully he calls an early election so we can give him the boot.

Jayme
said

NIckThere is lots we don't need i would not just single out jets and jails we could cut back on immergration we could cut back are many things.

ML
said

I believe it is time all MPs have their own pensions looked at. Imagine, only working for 8 years and receiving a full pension.This is an outrage.I have to work for 35 years to receive my pension and I work for the government. I am a teacher and I am educating our next generation, a job that I feel is very worthwhile and extremely important. I think the government needs to look in their own backyard. What they are trying to do is immoral and wreckless.

Gino
said

Harper is the king of fear mongering ! They all fear monger ! Doesn't matter what party...good lord.

nellie isenor
said

i agree harper should leave alone or there will be millions on the street how would he like to be on the streets not good i bet

Judy in B.C.
said

Let people retire at 63 and open up more positions in the work force for younger people who are out there looking for jobs after they have completed their education. Also one of the main things that Harper should look at cutting to the amount of pension that an MLA will get when they retire after 5 years.....what a hoot......not one of them is worth that kind of penson and it should be cut to exactly what normal people in jobs get.....none of these Thousand of dollars per year that amount to more than I made when I was employed.

Jayme
said

DotNo it should not be lower should it be higher then 67 no but it should not be lower then 65.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Government orchestrated retirement plans are schemes, and play beautiful music into the ears of the ignorant, weak, and irresponsible. (Big Daddy has convinced you that you "need" his help, because you're too stupid to be left with your own money to invest. Naturally, you agree...and hand it over.)

Bob in YYC
said

First of all CPP and OAS are totally different!!! Second, why should it be up to the government to take care of you? Shouldn't it be your responsibility to save for retirement? Living in Canada gives you the ability to chose what you want to do for a living. It seems to me that the people who complain the most are also the ones who aren't willing to take any responsibility themselves.

Hilton Shand
said

The projected OAS expenditures rise from 2.4 % GDP in 2010 to 3.1% GDP in 2030. Harpers proclamation that OAS will bankrupt Canada is nonsense. By fabricating this Wedge Issue Harper actually is undermining Consumer Spending. As a business owner, I think that is cynical for a Prime Minister who claims to be pro-business. At the present time the only thing that is holding Canadas economy back is stagnant Consumer Spending. The data and analyses can be found in the Report entitled: Actuarial Report, Old Age Security (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada). Download it on line.The Report states that projection that OAS expenditures will rise from $36 billion (in 2010 dollars) to $108 billion (in 2030 dollars). The report assumes inflation of 2.7% per year after 2015. (Almost half of the projected increase is change in the value of the dollar.) With population and GDP Growth the real increase OAS expenditures is from 2.4 % GDP in 2010 to 3.1% GDP in 2030.

bikerborz
said

What's all the panic? Is this even on the table? NO!!. It's in the thought stage, and there are HUGE implications that must be considered before anything is done. Just like the title says, the Libs and NDP (and the media!) are fear-mongering. Relax, everyone!

john
said

Its pretty sad that we live in a country that is considered to be one of the best in the world and yet there are people who have to chose between eating or keeping warm and know the goverment wants to take the old age pension and make people wait another 2 years to receive it.This is an outrage and it should be re-thought and kept at 65 .

DL in Kingston
said

Liberal comms should immediatley start putting out attack ads against this government. Something the Harper Gov't does all the time...

spaz
said

The mere mention of anything that the Liberals and NDP can hang on to while they make as much noise as possible to keep from slipping into oblivion.They can rant and rave all they want in the hopes it will bring either votes or party donations......something they both deseratly need.All the while making it look like they have earned their "gold plated pension". Big bucks for a load of hot air.

Gregory James Hodges; Truro/ Nova Scotia
said

It is laughable that Harper would dare accuse anyone of fear mongering; when the conservatives wrote the book on it. When he has taken the U.S./G.O.P. playbook on attack your opponents slash&burn politics ;as he so blatently done for years now; it is about time my fellow Canadians WAKE UP to the fact Harper is doing Bay Street`s bidding; and the Canadian working people be damned!!!

I. M. Wright
said

At your command, Lord Harper. Cut the pensions of these communists. If they want to eat, they can enlist in your holy-war legions. You reign supreme, Lord Harper, your word is law.

Big Bob in Ottawa
said

A civilized society SHOULD strive to achieve a YOUNGER age of retirement for those that wish to. It's not fair to tell others that past generations had it better and that they aren't worthy. As for comparisons to Greece gimme a break. Canada doesn't have rampant corruption and an entire black market economy nor do we fund freedom 55 for everyone. Ridiculous comparison. If Rae is fear mongering Harper is too,

Sandra
said

At least Harper is going to give Canadians more than 10 years to get used to the idea and prepare for it. In Manitoba, the NDP gave retired teachers No warning when they slashed COLA for retired teachers who had paid for it during their entire careers.

Dave
said

Liberals are fearmongring??? Hello Harper, what are you going to do??? Put it to rest!!!

Larry I Ontario
said

This is not fear mongering! Harper has no right to touch the Pennsion plan! This is ridiculous and he must be stopped at once. Everyone should write to their MP and tell them to stop wasting money on G8 summits and mega jails and stupid jets we don't need and there will be plenty of money for our seniors who are in desperate need of these funds. I for one wrote to my MP Mr. Fantino and as usual recieved no reply. These MP's need to listen and reply to their residents or we must vote them out and put someone in who realizes they work for us! We need a national petition to stop this ridiculous plan and hats off to Mr. Rae for fighting for what is right. Mr. Harper you promised not to touch our social programs and to even think you will balance the budget on the backside of seniors is nasty! I will never vote conservative again!

Debbie
said

As tax payers already contribute $23 for every $1 that the MP's contribute - how about the contributions to MP's gets cut to $12/$1 and the other $13 be contributed to the OAS. That would certainly put money in the pot and make it sustainable - especially if Harper is going to receive $155,000 pension. Share the wealth - put a few bucks in the pockets of the people who are paying for YOUR pension!!!!

Nelson Lantz
said

what happens to people on a fixed disability pension or other, that by contract stops on their 65th birthday?
Are they to be expected to live with no income for 2 years?
people in this income bracket have no chance to invest or save because of such a low income to start with, so there are no savings to fall back on.

Mark in Newmarket
said

Fear Mongering? Isn't that what the Liberals and the NDP do best? When people don't agree with or follow their agenda they begin to start all this fear mongering that if we vote conservative they'll take away all our health care or they will scrap OAS. I almost believe that they have a full platoon of people who just think up these fear mongering ideas. My fear is that they'll bring back that guy who looks like Mickey Mouse as their leader and will actually win and become PM forcing us all into Liberal/NDP indocterination camps.

Stephen DeViller
said

the gov't are walking on thin ice with the oas.How about their pensions kicked back to; we put $2 to their $1 to start.which i might add would be veryyy generous as to the private sector, as they are well aware of.Now to help even better stop giving our money away to whom and whatever,whenever as were water.tighten the purse strings as all other buisnesses have had to do,,,oh i forget get money to give away is their idea if running things; as they cannot run a buisness. thankyou

joan
said

let the goverment cut their pensions and not the old agesecurity people who needs it at 65. For all what senior"s get at 65 "? the goverment should be ashame of theirselves.

Jim in Okotoks
said

The greed of the baby boomers is out in full force here. (I am one of the later boomers). The OAS is taken from general revenue and all economic reports I have seen say that the taxpayer burden will increase until there will be roughly 2 taxpayers to earn the OAS per senior. This is the same as having your 2 kids pay the OAS you recieve and bypassing the government. If you had less than 2 working kids, who do you think should support you after you turn 65 through the OAS? Come on folks, there has to be some changes made here so that our kids have a future and we don't suck it from them.

Valerie, Nova Scotia
said

Living in a small province, compared to the rest of Canada, times here are hard enough. We pay the highest fuel prices in Canada, tuition is the highest in the country and our wages are some of the lowest. It may be ok for people to accept the idea of being pensioned off at age 67 but if you've worked hard at manual labour, by the time you're 65 you welcome retirement. Not everyone can have the luxury of a pension where you work or have the funds to have investment income. Maybe Harper should have tried to do intensive manual labour all his working life and see if he would like to work an extra 2 years until he could retire.

susan hall
said

I think it is scandalous. I for one know how much my husband gets on OAS and GIS, and it is barely enough to pay the bills. I work outside the home and just the thought of having to go to the age of 67 , I know I can't make it.My health is a great factor and was so looking forward to retiring, which by the way is not for another 5 years yet. And for you to up the age requirement is wrong.It's ok if you have a cushie job behind a desk but alot of the work force is not so lucky.. You're forgetting about the common factory workers that work hard day in and day out.If it wasn't for the common worker , where would this country be?We are the ones that keep the country moving.This country was built on the sweat and labour of the hard working Canadians..We are not fortunate enough to make a great salary and pay into a good retirement plan, instead, we're working just to be able to live and put food on the table living pay to pay,and for you to grab it out from under us now is wrong. Cut the politicans salary, expense accounts,and their outrageous retirement plans first.
The elderly are barely getting by now on what the government gives them.It is not a got idea to make them wait even longer for even to be eligible.Politicians should not be compensated for giving up their careers and that is their choice to do so.The only reason they pick to go into politics is for the nice fat salaries and the retirement package.That's all!!!So sick of the lot of them.They are helping themselves and giving us the shaft.I say NO TO THE AGE CHANGE and any cutbacks.

TheOtherLowellInBC
said

When Harper suggests it, it is good for the country. When anyone opposes what he says, then it is fear mongering. Strangely enough that is pretty much how Harper got elected. He ran scary ads about the opposition leader and used fear as a campaign tactic.

dot
said

the age should be lower and Harper should leave pensions alone or he will have millions on the street.

John in Calgary
said

The Canada pension plan is something you and your employer pay into. The amount you pay is legistated. You have no say.Any benefit you receive from the CPP was paid for by you and your employers. If the government mismanaged the contributions to the plan and / or underestimated what is needed to maintain the plan and benefits, don't blame the folks who are retired or those who will soon retire. Blame our elected officials who were more interested in their political skins than doing what was necessary.Every time there's talk of raising contribution a bit. There's a lot of noise and static about how many jobs it will cost. If $1000 per year or so makes the difference between creating a job or not. Is it really a job that is lost? I suspect it wouldn't have been created anyway.

Pensions101
said

Shame on anyone who compares Europe's "issues" with Canada's potential issues. Canada is one of two countries in the G8 that exports our vast resources. To say Canada can not afford to pay OAS benefits to low income seniors at age 65 is just plain silly. If Ottawa truly believes age 65 is no longer viable because we live longer (on costly prescription drugs) maybe it is time we nationalize our resources? Who among us would be against paying 70 cents a litre gas???

reidjr
said

LenYes there are ways to save money sure the jets and jails could be one of them but there are others things such as fix the social programs there is massive abuse with some programs or cut some funding to immergration.

ann5146
said

i think myself that it should be lower and to let others get what they deserve

Theotime
said

It would be far easier to determine what exactly is going on if the Prime Minister would 1) drop his habit of announcing national policy intentions in everybody's backyard but his own, and 2) actually announce the details. As it is, his practice only brings out what you'd expect - a lot of commentary designed to extract some facts instead of the usual vague government comments.

reidjr
said

Debbie I think its more the liberals and ndp are in a bit of a panic.

Helen Martin
said

Mr. Harper should not touch an issue like this - it's a sacred cow. Unless of course, he wants to faced a resounding defeat in the next election which would definitely happen since seniors vote in huge numbers compared to others.

D in Wpg
said

The Liberals may be fear mongering but Harper's solution to that would be to provide the details about his OAS plans as soon as possible. Until then, we have every right to be fearful.

reidjr
said

Mike from Holberg Why when anyone says something about Harper there paid off yet when the left speaks there not?

reidjr
said

Mary There not taking from those who are collection now or close to it.

Dixie from Alberta
said

Isn't Rae entitled to about 1 million when he comes off the Hill? I for one would not be worried about retiring if I had that kind of income..that's more than I will make in my lifetime and what has he done for Canada???

sam
said

My goodness I saw Rae on TV the other day and his face was flushed and he was spewing venom. Look out Bob your in for a heart attack. Its funny how Rae critisizes the Government, no matter what but he never offers any suggestions at all . Thats just how he operates. He is a tired old man, so he should just go a sit in a rocking chair. He has done enough damage to the Province.

Smilie Faces - Ottawa
said

Wow check out all the Happy Faces around Bob Rae Liberal Interim Leader...pretty worried look if you ask me..perhaps Mr. Rae should tell them about the MILLION DOLLARS he received back as NDP Premier of Ontario when they modernized the MPP's pension back in the 1990's. As an Ontario Taxpayer and now a Senior I would suggest he stop putting fear into me and others. Many of us are not as lucky as him to have such a generous amount of money to invest and still be on the payroll as a now Liberal be getting a hefty pension here also. Shame on this man to be fear mongering.

Dale
said

Bob Rae, Bob Rae, oh ya !
he failed in ONTARIO, Crossed to the Liberals, and Pretty much followed the same pattern.
DODO birds usually now enough when to go to roost. Bob it's time, before you actually get an Idea!!!

Nicole
said

Why are the articles not referencing the difference between CPP and OAS? Those who have worked and paid payroll taxes will not see any change to CPP because it is paid for. The OAS is available to everyone, whether they worked or not. Can we at least discuss this matter intelligently instead of fear mongering and saying people will be cut off when in fact it is simply raising the age of OAS only. Not to mention there is no possible way there would not be a phase in period. More fear mongering and headline gymnastics.

bryan in ontario
said

Not only are the liberals fear mongoring which is there typical tactic But the msm is the head cheerleader. I have watched that speech a few times & No Where did the PM state he would make changes to the system, He only stated to europeans what should be done to their systems.Also the PM in stating this is only reinforcing what PM's before him have also stated.One more thing Why is a person getting OAS if they are making Plus 50K when retired?

nick
said

WE don't new jets or more prisons or more tax breaks for big corporations.STOP going after poorest of the poor to pay.STOP GOLD PLATED PENSION BY MP'S.

Bumcrack USA
said

this guy is the king of fear mongering. Hypocrite.

MJPB
said

A quote from Harper ... "Harper insists seniors currently receiving benefits and those about to retire won't lose a single dollar.".What about those of us who have paid into the program for over 30 years and who are still 10 to 15 years away from retirement.And for those of you who say it's simply our own responsibility to prepare for retirement, I say that a vast majority of Canadians are not in a position to put away money for retirement. All levels of government have taxed us so high, there just is nothing left. Now Haprper is taxing us with this plan ... pushing OAS off for 2 additional years is taking money away from us who have contributed all of our lives ... it's a form oof a tax. Enough already Harper!!!

Toby
said

Harper, if you want to stop the fear mongering then lay out your plan. You annouced it to the world before telling your "own people". Your supporters, yes, including the Big Oil which you have in your pocket do not give a rat's ass about any one but your own.

Prof Bar Graph
said

How dare those dastardly Liberals use fear to try and sway voter opinion! That's been a proud Conservative tradition for as long as I can remember, but I guess the Liberals had to go and socialize that too!

Doug From BC
said

I have to admit that our Prime Minister is very sharp and good at politics. He made a statement about pension reform and the opposition took the bait Hook, Line and Sinker, along with a lot of the posters on this web site and the media reporters.Never once did he state the OAS or CPP requirements would be changed, but the gullible took the bait, and now they will be the ones to have egg on their faces.

Mike in Pembroke
said

@ Mike from Holberg, No I am not on the PCs pay role. Harper is doing what is needed for the next generation so there will be OAS there for them. What torks me about the NDP & Liberals is their conplaining about what Harper is doing, FORGETTING that we as Canadians do not pay into OAS. The Liberals and NDP should stand up and say our PM's pension plan is too rich and should be cut back a bit. Mike from Holberg, I bet your buddies in the NDP and Liberals will not do that though.

Bob from Mississauga
said

The Opposition would not have to speculate if Harper would do the unthinkable and give some details about what he has in mind.

Ivan
said

Mike from Holberg - Of course they are. Just look at the number of posts and the posters every time the Alberta tar sands gets mentioned in an article. Of course someone if paying these people to skew the thumbs up/down. I've always wondered if these 'people' get paid by the post, story or are they on salary?

xcon
said

Mr. Rae is doing his job. He is warning canadians about their future and their rights. The FEAR of cons' hidden agenda is reel. The best way to make efficient savings is to adjust salary, pension, benefits and bonuses of Mr. Harper and all other government workers to the average canadian earnings. They do not deserve so much money and benefits. BTW their hidden agenda is less and less hidden. Vote intelligently next time and avoid getting into stampede emotional voting.

Carl
said

The Old Age Security program and the Canada Pension Plan should both be abolished. All they do is take money from us when we are working and give us back a fraction of it when we retire. I would rather keep my money, save and invest it for my own retirement, and forego the patronage of the nanny state when I retire. I can look after my retirement better than any government can. For those who are too undisciplined or foolish to save for their own retirements, they can always turn to their families for support, or collect welfare.

Follow the money...overseas
said

OAS is very small part..if the government was really serious, I mean really, really serious it would examin the GIS. In many cases the supplement is worth almost double and again is not contributory so anyone who shows that have a low income from what they report to the tax man, they can get it. Problem is and this soo friggin' huge, the policy makers do not even broach it for fear of offending some one. Change the eligibility for OAS from a minimum of 10 years residency to 15. Tighten the rules for GIS that allows only 3 months out rather then 6 months. Clarify this rule to make it tougher to get away with fraud. Abusers go away, back to their country for 6 months, come back to Canada for a two vacation and leave again for 5 months and 29 days..make the system of checks and balances work, do not hinder. Let those that are checking on abusers be able to get information from other agencies that can assist in policing the billions going to those that only take from Canada and live like royalty elsewhere on our dime...you want to see savings...help stop this bleeding and you'll get big time savings and stop Canada from being the gravy train to those who have contributed nothing or next to nothing in this country. Stop the free money from being handed out and immigration will slow to trickle. Only those that truly seek a better life and are willing to work hard for it, as they used to do should be rewarded.

Wow
said

@Mike Holberg and other posters like him: Why is it that if people are Pro-Harper they must be paid to do so, but if they support the other parties its of course just good honest Canadians. Well, guess you missed that news bulletin that Harper won a majority. That means that there are many people in this country who voted for him (and please save the next comment that it was only 37% of people, its still a majority according to our system, and 37% of the millions of eligible voters is still a lot). Whether you agree with Harper or not, many do, and Canada is made up of a diversity of people with different opinions, and we are all free to express them. Plus we're not getting paid for our opinions either. OAS needs to be revised, the reality of Canada is that more people are retiring with the baby boomers than ever before, and people are living longer with fewer people paying into the system. It needs to be revamped, before it becomes a crisis and completely falls apart.

Cambob in Toronto
said

Didn't the liberals get smacked down by Canadians during the election? Didn't they learn that what we want is leadership, not pandering. Isn't the NDP the official opposition? Mr. Rae, you're a multi-millionaire. Your fake outrage is exactly why we punted Ignatieff to the curb. Seems you didn't learn the lesson.

testy
said

From the mouth of a man who knows all about fear mongering.

Canadian Bob
said

Fear mongering my butt! The Liberals and any Canadian with a brain know too well that what falls out of the left side of Harper's mouth is being sucked in by the right only to be chewed like cud and regurgitated at a later date with the original intentions. Harper will mess with the OAS & CPP, and any fool that believes otherwise, or thinks he should mess with them (like those trying to bad mouth the Liberals and other non-Conservatives here with their typical mis-directional mumbo jumbo) are only fooling themselves. If you don't like people disliking Harper and Company, you'd better seek some good therapists, because it's only going to get worse for you.

Tim
said

It's how the Liberals balanced the budget Sherry, were you bitter towards them too?

joe M
said

I agree with this position. It's time to stop the HARPO madness. By the time he finishes, you will be 71 before you can get any form of pension, some say it's only one of 3, well, wait for it they will disappear beyond reach also. Retirement at 65 is best for the body and also to allow the younger generation to get jobs. Why don't we add into the equation, population and amount of workers for the next 20 years that will contribute. Why don't we look at trying to raise the pathetic rates since most seniors today eat dog food, which is becoming more expensive as we speak. If i was a conservative, i say to hell with everyone else, starve, you should have prepared better, and of course this comes from the PMO staff who enjoy their hefty salaries and are paid to surf social and media sites to add nothing but CON view points. As, HARPO does not care, he's trying to create a legacy like Muldooooon. Again, FEAR mongering by HARPO

Smoke Rings - Ottawa
said

I would like to know where my comment went to regarding the article on Bob Rae and his fear mongering and what Mr. Rae received according to the article in Today's Ottawa Sun page 6 while NDP Premier in the 1990's....obviously during his Senior years he has nothing to worry about so he should stop putting the fear into us seniors. The Million dollar handout he received when they revamped the MPP Ontario Pensions was sure a great gift from Ontario Taxpayers, a million dollars would go a long way and he isn't finished yet with his taxpayer funded salary and a further pension down the road. Must be nice.

Les in MB
said

Doesn't anybody of Liberal or NDP stripes understand that this pension scheme was originally meant to prevent the elderly from eating dog food and NOT pay for extravagant luxuries like new cars every two years, smartphones, new homes and all the other crap that the "self-entitled" portion of our population considers to be necessities of life? Twenty years ago or more, I took my father's advice and started investing for my own future rather than count on CPP. We knew this was not sustainable with the baby boomer bubble in our demographics. Now that this has come to be common knowledge, who's doing the whining? The other parties knew this also but would not tackle such a hot potato issue when they (Libs) were in power, instead choosing to schmooze the populace into thinking everything is ok rather than bring such an unpopular issue up in Commons. You want a stable and comfortable retirement? Earn it! Don't ever count on government to provide for your future, look after yourself. This Conservative government isn't scared of tackling unpopular issues to ensure our future, I'm glad they are looking out for everyone's best interests even if the electorate falls for the opposition's scare tactics. Go Harper!

Grim
said

Not sure how raising the age of collecting OAS from 65 to 67 will disqualify people from GIS etc. Means people have to work 2 more years. I hate the thought myself - but I would rather have a sustainable system than paying ever more tax dollars to support this programs. Also seniors that make too much get this clawed back anyways. I would rather seniors save enough for their own retirements and only those that absolutely need it get it. These programs should be looked at as safety nets not entitlements. Too many people want something for nothing.

KJ in Calgary
said

Don't worry about the CPP folks....as long as Harper and his cronies get those posh pensions everything is fine....spend less on your food and utilities and put more away for your retirement!

Mike from Holberg
said

I wonder how many people that have posted on here are on the payroll of the cons? It wouldn't surprise me one bit if party funds are going towards posting pro-Harper comments.

Alexandria
said

Mr. Rae should get all the facts about the OAS before he starts shouting in the HOC.S.The media should find out what is going to happen to OAS before they print this fools shoutings.Reporters should do their job and find all the facts before printing anything.

TrueNorth
said

That's right - just keep borrowing money and ignoring our rapidly aging population. What could possibly go wrong?

Elizabeth
said

The funny thing is I don't see Mr Rae proposing any changes to his own pension and I see all the opposition members, as well as the Conservatives mum on the issue as well. Having said that the system as it stands now is unsustainable going forward and perhaps people need to realize they have to save for their own retirement. You can't rely on or expect the government (aka other taxpayers) to pay for your retirement, as well as their own.

KEVIN
said

Look, you cannot take a 35yr old program and keep it going in the same way you did 35yrs ago. The population dynamics of canada have changed and so must every program. Old Age Security is a benefit, not a right; people have become just like the government - I am entitled to my entitlements. I would just as soon have OAS scrapped and everyone given back their taxes to invest for themselves.

Dylan
said

Our seniors, nor their pensions,are a problem. They will not be a problem in the future to tax-payers either.

Our pension system is quite sound, just as all studies are showing.

At worst, the cost of giving seniors their pension will rise an extra 0.75% of GDP (to somewhere in the 3% range). It's not an issue.

Be unlike this government. Use research and statistics to form your opinions. Don't rely on ideology.

bruce
said

Bankrupt Bob Rae former Premier of Ontario is once again invoking fear mongering to Canadians... right now if you earn more than $68k a year at retirement it begins to get clawed back -- if you and your spouse earn more than $108k you do not get OAS at all. With the impending demographic crunch coming - it only makes sense to extend these extra programs like OAS to the needed few thereby ensuring the primary programs such as CPP and Health Transfers continue to get funded ! Maybe Bob Rae and all the MP's should eliminate their obscene Pension Plan first !!

roy
said

All these opposition parties can do is jump to conclusion,I am a senior and like every other senior don't want to see the OAS cut but some changes may have to be made for sustainability at least we can wait until we see the changes needed.These opposition members are like a pit of snakes they don't know where they are going but know they are moving.

Chris
said

Hey JDF Calgary if there is no money for necessities then why are we buying the most expensive jets there are for the military?

Mary
said

Hard to believe in only a short time this government has managed our money so poorly that they now want to steal from the poor elderly. Shame on you Mr Harper.

Marj
said

At 61 I do not have a problem waiting until 67 to get my pension HOWEVER this means that immigrants, etc. should be put way to the back of the line to see any Pension since I have been paying from age 16 in Canada (my birthplace)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M from edmonton
said

Can we stop the whining and the complaining already. OAS is not intended to be the primary source of income for seniors. Don't blame anybody because you spend your money on a $5 latte rather than saving your money. OAS is not sustainable. We don't need a public backlash, we need to think about being fiscally responsible. OAS as it stands is not sustainable. If you want government welfare programs we have to pay for it. Simple.

Just Saying - Ottawa
said

According to James MacKinnon, Head of Economics at Queens University according to today's newspaper says that the opposition are ballistic on what they have to say about the Old Age Pension. This is nothing but fear mongering by Liberal Bob Rae and NDP Peter Jullian in the House of Commons on Tuesday, saying the old people will end up at the soup kitchen. For those who do not get the Ottawa Sun Newspaper well today on page 6 of this paper an articles states that Bob Rae was the beneficiary of a one million dollar payout while NDP Premier when the Pension Plan in Ontario was modernized in the 1990's. Obviously Mr. Rae does not and will not end up on the soup line but likes to put fear in to those who will probably not but wants the seniors to think they will. Shame on him.

Greg
said

Nobody was going to be cut off. This is typical bluster. Even if we raise the age for future retirees, the average time spent receiving benefits will be much higher than it was when OAS was founded, and the support ratio will be multiple times higher

Marty
said

Why is it the opposition parties will blind themselves to necessary requirements to sustain our wants! Short term pain for long term gain. Difficult choices will always be negatively looked at - and that's why they are difficult.

JOE
said

lets get real. if you make net 50-thousands lets say why should a senior have the 540 dollars take all back and tax it all and let us people who do not have money to live on in the future have it as long as we people over 55 are not affected why is the government spending money oN increasing the house of commons and why is the government havE A SURPLUS IN EI PAYMENT GET REAL

Smoke Rings - Ottawa
said

In today's Ottawa Sun on page 6, Bob Rae NDP and now Liberal was the "beneficiary of "ONE MILLION DOLLARS" a payout when the MPP Pension Plan was modernized in Ontario in the mid 1990's. We in Ontario know what he did as NDP Leader and with all this money he received he does NOT have a worry. Talks out of both sides of his mouth..how about sharing your wealth. CHECK OUT THE STORY .. OTTAWA SUN PAGE 6, FEBRUARY 1, 2012.

ronnieracoon
said

I believe that OAS will have to be modified in the decade ahead if all Canadian are to benefit.My concern is that many boomers have planned their retirement in part with OAS benefits in mind.If changes are implemented with a sufficient adjustment period (10years ) then many more stakeholders will be on board. As the same time, MP persions also need a haircut at least for credibility purposes. IF this is done hastily, there will be a firestorm of protest that will engulf this government. They need to think this through very carefully.

jk
said

Of course Rae doesn't want the age increase. Look at his gray hair. I would like there to be some cash left for the 40 and under crowd. Don't just make us pay for it. What does the older generation care? They put us in this national debt situation with years of over spending. They will be dead when this all hits the fan.

anson5
said

Once again Bob Rae is manufacturing fake outrage!Guess he's never heard of Greece.

john messom creston bc
said

today Bob Rae in question period was talking about the government cutting oas first of all the government did not say they are cutting oas anybody believe anything that this man say need their head check canadian just think what shape canada would be in if Bob Rae was our prime minister now canada would be in the same shape that this man put ontario in when he was in power ontario is still paying for his mess

Will
said

Rae and his supporting cast are idiots. Do we really need to say anything more?

reidjr
said

LenI am not sure if the age should go up but my issue is if some on the left got there way the age would be lower my point is some want to take care of them from craddle to grave.

Jim in Ottawa
said

The only public backlash should be against the generous gold-plated MP pensions that according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation report, sees Canadians contributuing $22 for every $1 that MPs put into the plan. I'd like to see Mr. Harper and his government lead by example but first cutting the MP pensions to zero the way Mike Harris did to Ontario MPPs in 2002, before tinkering with the OAS. As for Mr. Rae's attempts to change the channel on MP pensions, I remind everyone that Mr. Rae is the failed Ontario NDP premier and has no credibility to speak of.

David
said

The Supreme Court of Canada has put this Countries back to the wall by ordering so many expenses; paying for illegal drugs, the houses to inject, and alike. The Canadian government has no choice but to look at cutting what ever necessary to cover the Supreme Court of Canada demands. If you want to blame anyone, blame the judges; the people that actually "rule" the country at our expense.

Debbie
said

With so many Conservatives running in panic mode after Harper's faux pas why don't they ask Mr. Harper if they can opt out of OAS themselves thereby saving the government some money. I'm sure they don't want to dirty their hands or bank accounts with money from the "commy (sic) state". I'm sure they'll all get a pat on the back from their dear leader, Mr. Harper.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

More disingenuous grandstanding and partisan fear-mongering from "Back-Row Bob." (He knows that he's milking a dry cow.)

CMQ
said

Not once has Haprer or any Tory said they would cut the OAS!!!! Funny thing is I do not read any quotes of such in this article other than blow hard Rae's. I have watched interviews with Senators and heard Haprer's response to Rae in question period. This is nothing more than an attempt to become head of the Liberals as the NDP tank.

Carl
said

The government should get out of the pension business completely. Leave the money in my pocket and let me save and invest it for my own retirement. I don't need the nanny state to take my money and give me back a fraction of it after I retire.

Simple Tom
said

I have a possible solution. Our treasury is facing huge increases in OAS payouts because of a big bubble of baby boomers soon to become pensioners. An average worker with an average wage will end up having around $500 in today's dollars deducted from their monthly paychecks to cover it. ___ However, at the same time we have payments to the first nations at at similar level and the growth in payments to them will end up growing to around the same due to their high population growth. ___ If we want to support our seniors, most of whom have worked and contributed, why can't we reduce the payments to the FN's dollar for dollar to correspond, most of whom have never worked a day in their lives. That would gradually wean the first nations from entitlements (which will actually help them) and let us afford to help our pensioners. It should also be legal, as the treaties normally stated rates of around $10 per year per FN person (maybe $10 million per year now), not the 10's of billions which it is today. What do you think?

Ottawa Jack
said

CTV is playing right into the Liberals hands by the headline of OAS Cuts. . Starting the OAS at age 67 ( not 65 ) is an OAS DEFERRAL only. No senior would be ' CUT' from OAS. Will the CTV stop promoting the Liberal agenda. & PLEASE POST THIS.

ALberta Boy
said

Mr Ray I will agree with you only when you refuse to take your big retirement check you will get when you retire. Then and onlt then will you and I be on the same level.

louie
said

Is this how the legislature debates and tries to solve real problems Mr. Rae

anne barnett
said

I am a widow & a retired woman. My pension covers my rent & leaves me with $20.00 to eat,pay for one tank of gas & personal items. Go figure Mr Harper if you think I can go on like this!! How would you like my life.

Ottawa Jack
said

Where can we sign the petition supporting the OAS cuts?

Sherry Gilliam
said

Downloading costs: Harper's Mantra.

JDF _ Calgary
said

Mr. Rae is a fool. There is no way to pay for all the goodies the liberals and NDP promised people (health care, OAS, GIS, phoney refugee claimants, immigrant settlement..................).Just listen to the number of groups across the country demanding more funding.

Len
said

This government, led by Mr. Harper, is showing its true colors. So long as he is in power with a majority will we see our 'native land' decimated, all in his mistaken belief that he is doing the right thing. He is doing and acting on the whims of a few, on the whims of a select elite in this country. The tampering with the OAS is only one instance. This leader will do so much to destroy any social benefits that we Canadians now enjoy. It seems that building more prisons; sending young people to jail for possession of a couple of joints and have a criminal record; overspending on 'luxurious' jet fighters that are not yet proven to be viable; among other things are more important than Canadians hoping for a decent twilight in their golden years. This man promised a transparent government. I guess he is fulfilling his promise - his transparency in destroying a lot of what Canadians have strived to achieve proves it.

PBW
said

So what is the alternative, Mr. Rae? Continue along the same road making the program unsustainable, or doing something to make it sustainable? What is YOUR solution? Just to assume, as some Liberal and NDP MP's do, that the economy will grow enough to cover the increase in OAS costs over the next 20 years does not mean that the economy will ACTUALLY grow. World economies are on the very edge right now: if they go over, there will be zero growth for several years, along with decreased tax revenues. But some seniors will still demand OAS (even if they have it all clawed back) because it is their right, even as the tax revenues decrease. Better to take the bitter pill now, rather than wait five years or more and end up saying "sorry folks, there is no more". Better that only those who truly need it - as opposed to WANT it - actually get OAS.

TheOtherLowellInBC
said

I'll sign it Bob

tony
said

I love to see Bob Rae get on the pension soapbox as he very nearly blew my pension with general motors...Remember when he told GM they were basically a can`t fail company and didn`t have to pay the pension premiums..when I asked Mr. Rae what was he thinking, you know what his reply was..." There have been many governments since mine that could have righted that decision".nice one Bob..darn near cost me 33 years of labour.

Janet
said

Before Harper cuts old age he should keep his promis and limit the years for the Senate do do something about their cushy pensions for doing so little. I have worked for 45 years-with only two 14 week maternity leaves in that entire time and he wants to make me work longer!!!!. I would rather see people have to wait until age 62 to collect CPP than see the OAS begin at age 67. Come people lets stand up for our rights this time.

Brian Fr Langley
said

Mr. Rae the money you wish to spend does NOT belong to you. It belongs to us embattled tax payers. The current system is unsustainable. What's more you KNOW it. If we keep electing folks like you, all we'll have to look forward too is the kind of anarchy we see developing in countries like Greece and Spain. Spain now has unemployment exceeding 20%. Thanks to left wing nut bar ideologies that are proven failures. While Prime Minister Harper deserves much credit, so does Paul Martin. Your scaremongering and pandering just for votes, is inexcusable.

Mark
said

Hey, here's a thought: How about people taking responsibility for themselves? You know, save your own money and stop looking to the commy state....

Jeremy in Thunder Bay
said

Where is the petition to stop the taxpayers having to pay for the MP's outrageous Pensions. They should be put back in line with the rest of the country dollar for dollar not $23 for every dollar they put in. If the only reason they run for office is to get a cushy pension in 6 years and not to make the country better then we don't need them.

Camwest
said

Enough hot air Mr Rae, with the baby boomers going into retirement and the markets the way they are, it only makes sense that something has to give. When you keep crying wolf eventually nobody is going to listen. The government does not have the means to take care of everyone cradle to grave.. wake up.

mike
said

What upsets me the most about Rae is he is using this fear mongering to solicit votes for his up comming leadership race.The liberals and the ndp dont care a damn about how they are affecting these people who are on OAS or comming close to recieving it. I am one who is 3 years away from OAS and I am sure it will be there when I reach 65. The seniors that are close or are now recieving it, dont worry, we are the ones who voted the conservatives into power and I am sure they do not want a death wish when the votes are counted in the next election. I believe though that many who collect OAS have not lived in Canada very long and only become Canadians to collect OAS and then leave for there country of origin. There should be a specific time that a Canadian who wishes to collect OAS should be here in Canada such as the amount of time over the years you have worked to collect CPP. This would help those who have contributed to Canada and not those who came for the free handout.

MikeW
said

I'm looking forward to the day that Rae is annointed leader of the Liberal party. Not only he will be making himself look bad, but Harper will have a field day with him. You ran Ontario like Greece, is this your idea of Canada as well. Hey Bob why dont you recommend Rae days to save the government money.

Ray B.
said

Gosh. Thanks Bob. Way to state the obvious, Mr. 'party of protest'.

G
said

RAE!!! Do you remember your party downloading the cost of health care onto the provinces??? Sounds like you and your party have a double standard here!!! I do however think this is a BAD idea and OAS age of entitlement should not be raised (too many beer and popcorn people not planning). I think those that contributed that have retirement incomes greater than 60k annually should be excluded from receiving the benefits so that those less fortunate beer and popcorn folks can have a better quality of life. (at least more beer and popcorn)

Beat it Bob and Petitioners
said

How about a petition to remove Bob from office? Do people not realize that things change over time? People live longer these days and WAY out of their means... 65 no longer makes sense within our contribution to pay out scale. Put in a grandfather clause and move on. Change is what makes growing possible.

Larry
said

Mr Rae and all the other MP's if really concerned about spending should take action to reduce their lavish and expensive pensions...no ordinary Canadian receives so much for so little. Clean House? Start with the House of Commons...why do we need so many MP's....look at the US and how many Senator and Congressmen (or is it Congress persons?) they have for their population... Suggest we start the cutting in Ottawa

B in Ottawa
said

Rae needs to cool down for a minute. Stephen Harper has said over and over that no senior will see their benefits cut. No one currently nearing retirement age will have the age raised on them at the last minute. We are talking about making the system sustainable for young people in their 20s and 30s who would rather collect OAS starting at 67 than not at all. It's common sense.

BG in BC
said

Bob Rae & the NDP have created this storey, there is NO truth to it, it is all a lie to make headlines. If you repeat a lie ofthen enough, people will start to believe it. People on OAS are NOT going to be cut off & tossed out into the streets PERIOD.

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Labour Minister Lisa Raitt speaks in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Monday, May 28, 2012. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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