Ontario Budget Underway

CARP before the Standing Committee to implement Ontario’s Budget

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CARP reviews the Ontario Budget proposals before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at Queen’s Park

On July 21, 2014, CARP presented before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at Queen’s Park on Ontario’s budget implementation bill. Susan Eng, VP Advocacy, highlighted the support of our members for the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) and that our members want to see other provinces follow suit. Although an enhanced CPP still receives the stronger support, CARP members welcome the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan since the federal government has refused to act on CPP. However, CARP recommends that the ORPP be set-up to allow other provinces to pass parallel legislation so that the pension benefits are portable across provinces, while providing benefits that will improve retirement security for all Canadians.

We Still Need Better and More Timely Homecare

Susan Eng also welcomed the Budget’s proposal to increase home and community-based services, particularly the increase in wages for personal support workers. However, CARP emphasized that care needs to continue to move more into the community and people’s homes. CARP also encouraged the government to quickly adopt the enhanced caregiver tax credit and start making dementia care a priority, especially prevention, early identification, housing and employment support, and an integrated coordinated service model.

CARP meets with Minister Mitzie Hunter on the ORPP

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CARP meets with Associate Minister of Finance Mitzie Hunter, on July 21, 2014

CARP met with Minister Mitzie Hunter, the Associate Minister of Finance, on July 21, 2014 to discuss the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP). Minister Hunter invited CARP to learn more about CARP’s views and recommendations on how the ORPP should be made to work best for Ontarians. CARP emphasized the importance of pensions in helping average Ontarians save for a secure retirement, especially in an environment where people are not saving enough, workplace pension plans are disappearing and workers need pension portability between multiple employers.

However, CARP also highlighted a few important considerations for the design of the ORPP, such as the need to consider the ORPP’s impact on lower income individuals and those with lost years of employment due to caregiving responsibilities. In addition, CARP emphasized the importance of working with other provinces to allow them to join and support the portability of benefits across all provinces. CARP will continue to voice these concerns to ensure that the ORPP provides better retirement security for all.