Dear Editor:
Bravo, Ontario! In its recent budget, the outgoing minority government proposed the creation of a provincial plan to ensure Ontario workers have a decent retirement income.
At the moment, the combined income level of federal pensions - CPP and OAS - doesn't meet that objective.
Last December, despite the backing of a majority of provincial governments (but not including B.C. unfortunately) for a proposal to enhance the CPP, the federal Conservative government said no.
So Ontario decided to do what Ottawa wouldn't. Its proposed pension scheme requires worker contributions of 1.9 per cent of salary matched by their employer, and provides a pension up to a maximum $12,815 annually. That amount will be on top of entitlement to CPP and OAS pensions.
It pretty well matches what provinces wanted the Harper government to do with the CPP in December.
But it's not a done deal. There's a little matter of a June 12 provincial election that has to be decided first. But the chances are good that the Ontario provincial pension plan will become a reality.
And in that event, a standard will be set for other provinces.
The question is: Will British Columbia rise to the challenge?
Bill Brassington, Burnaby
