Canadians didn’t hold back when Prime Minister Stephen Harper first floated his proposal to overhaul old age security benefits earlier this year.
They unleashed a fury of angry emails to his Ottawa office, furious at the proposed changes and equally unhappy that the prime minister had chosen to pitch the idea to an exclusive forum in Davos, Switzerland, rather than telling Canadians first about his cost-cutting plans.
And there were plenty of questions about why the Conservatives had stayed silent about the contentious issue during last spring’s election.
“We would not have voted for the Conservative Party if we had known this was in the works,” wrote one person all in capital letters to drive home the point.
“Please do not mess with old age security pension,” said another echoing the sentiments of most readers.
Those comments are contained in emails from everyday Canadians to the prime minister’s office in the days after Harper’s Jan. 26 speech where he first raised the idea of tinkering with Canada’s retirement benefits.
The sharp reaction explains a lot about the Tory decision to put off the changes for a decade, ensuring that those aged 55 and older would be spared the cut.
But the emails, obtained by the Toronto Star under Access to Information, also lay bare the confusion Harper sowed with his initial vague musings about the coming changes. Speaking to an exclusive audience at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Harper noted that the government had taken capped health care spending and now planned to do the same “for our retirement income system.
“For those elements of the system that are not funded, we will make the changes necessary to ensure sustainability for the next generation while not affecting current recipients,” Harper said.
While the prime minister provided few specifics, word quickly began to trickle out from government that changes were looming to the Old Age Security program. But Canadians were left in the dark about when the changes would hit.
Readhow MPs responded to Harper’s comments in Davos.
Within hours of the speech, Canadians were firing off their reactions to the prime minister’s office.
“I can’t tell you how much I feel I have been betrayed and cheated by you and your party . . . I am outraged,” said one Canadian.
“I am confused, alarmed, disappointed and terrified . . . Is it really your intent to see that people do not survive long enough to even draw their pensions,” wrote another.
Many warned Harper that he would pay a political price for tinkering with seniors’ benefits.
“Too bad, you and your party will sink like a rock once you cut Old Age security payments. Bye, bye!”
“Do you really not like being the party in power? Really, do you want to be voted out first chance us voters get? What are you thinking, raising the Old Age Security age?” said one email.
Some voiced weary resignation that they’ll have to work longer than planned to fund retirement.
“I will work until the day I drop, don’t have any illusions to the contrary,” wrote one, calling it the “Freedom 85 Plan.”
Said another, “Just the thought of having to work two more years at that age is so discouraging.”
The emails also contained hard luck stories as some seniors related how they lack work pensions and are now fearful of how they might make ends meet.
“We have to rely on meagre savings and the CPP along with the OAS. There is no way we could still live in our house . . . if we received less money,” wrote one.
More than a few of the responses told Harper and other MPs to lead by example and slash their own rich pensions.
“As they say Mr. Prime Minister, what’s good for the goose is also good for the gander,” said one.
Smattered among the emails were a few expressions of support for the changes, with one person writing that reforms were “absolutely essential” to ensure the benefits exist for future generations.
But even in that email there was a jab at MPs to curb their own entitlements.
“Change must start from the top . . . sitting MPs must take a reduction in their most lavish pension benefits. If it doesn’t start here, it will go no where,” the email said.
One writer even challenged Harper to call an election to seek public approval of his surprise plan to overhaul OAS.
“I’m suggesting to you that if you want to raise the retirement age or reduce OAS payments, you need to call an election. This is to (sic) important an issue.
“Also, why did you make this pension announcement in Davos. The timing . . . is bad and the location of the announcement is worse.”
Many took issue with the fact that Harper revealed the plan at an exclusive economic forum rather than in Canada or even the House of Commons.
“You did not have the courage to make your announce in our country. Shame, age will come to you as well,” said one, accusing Harper of showing “disdain” for seniors.
Canadians had to wait two months — until the Mar. 29 budget — to get confirmation of the changes. The fiscal blueprint outlined the Tories’ plans to force Canadians now aged 54 and under to wait until they are 67 before being eligible to collect Old Age Security payments.
Canadians reacted fiercely to Stephen Harper’s proposal to make changes to retirement benefits. Here’s a sampling of what they had to say:
“I can’t tell you how much I feel I have been betrayed and cheated by you and your party . . . I am outraged.”
“To imply that you would reduce senior pensions for CPP and Old Age Security or raise the age limits is disgusting. Pick on the senior who have worked hard and contributed to this country ALL their lives!! What about your own fat pensions.”
“I am confused, alarmed, disappointed and terrified . . . Is it really your intent to see that people do not survive long enough to even draw their pensions.”
“Clean up your own finances before fooling with mine.”
“I hope you realize how hard it is for retired people to make ends meet and take this into consideration.”
“Why did you not inform Canadians of these changes during the last election . . . as usual, the seniors who will be most affected will be those who can least afford it.”
“Why did the Prime Minister let loose this very worrying maelstrom — not to mention from a foreign country in the company of billionaires — without first having thought it through and communicated basic key information.”
“Amazingly Harper does not announce pension reform as part of his election platform, or in parliament, or in Canada.”
“Trim the excess fat from your own glitzy pension plan then instead of trying to claw away the measly benefits that senior Canadian(s) receive.”
“Most of us Canadians did not come from well-to-do families, been working since the age of 16 for less than minimum wage at times and look forward to retiring at age 65. Please leave well enough alone.”
Original Article
Source: Star
Author: Bruce Campion-Smith
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