The MPs gold plated pension plan has always bugged me! It’s way past time that it was brought in line with private plans!!
Another thing that I recently discovered was that about 2004 all MPs got their salaries more than doubled when the Basic Sessional Indemnity was introduced. This is now $157,731/y for all MPs and most MPs get additional salary up to another $157,731/y!!!!
Why hasn’t NCC been after these increases during times when most Canadians wages have been static or falling????

The slowest route to pension reform is to concentrate on reducing MP’s
pension plans. They are simply NOT interested in even talking about it.
A consistant pressure on them to allow us common citzens to improve our own lot through better treatment of RRSP’s, and in particular TFSA’s, has a better chance of making progress. Taxing investment income, from income tax paid savings, is a discouragment to save which is already hard enough to do for most people.
Government should be encouraging people not making them dependent.

Make defined benefit pensions illegal. Actuaries cannot predict the future and don’t even come close. Pensions are a personal responsibility, and you can create your pension in a variety of ways including buying and paying off your home, having loving kids to look after you when you need help, and savings via RRSP or whatever - your choice. We don’t need more taxes to force us to save more - it’s our life to do as we please.

Yes,”dreaded time of year”, mostly because ‘less productivity through more tax paperwork’, along the lines of “More freedom through less government”. It is a national disgrace. We thought Mulroney’s Wilson would fix it in 1985 but GST was as close as they came to meaningful tax reform.

I just finished reading an “OUR OPINION” in the local newspaper with the heading “Numbers keep draining away.” Just a couple of interesting points from this opinion:

“But he said seeing both main parties losing support simultaneously might reflect a general disenchantment among the public for politics.

In fact, in an earlier Haris-Decima survey Canadians expressed little confidence in either the Tories or Liberals to manage the economy, balance the books or reflect their values. Gregg said more chose ‘None of the Above’ or ‘Don’t know’ than any federal party on those key issues.”

The last two paragraphs stated:

“So, perhaps short of true prediction, this survey does suggest a coming election will see even more people staying home out of disgust - this after some abysmally low turnouts for recent elections.

It also means Canadians aren’t likely to see a majority in the House of Commons anytime soon.”

Gold plated pensions are only one of many issues that are turning people away from voting. When Canadians look at the foolish goings on in parliament, the many scandals, the waste of taxpayer money, the unwillingness by all of the parties to work together for the betterment of Canadians, to name a few, it is no wonder so many Canadians have lost faith with our political parties. Over the years one of the comments that I have read and heard is - Why should I vote because in actuality it really doesn’t matter who is the government nothing will change. Nova Scotia is a good example. Nothing new has happened with a first ever NDP provincial government.

Sorry Guys, but you missed the boat a few years ago when Preston Manning and his Reform Party placed as high priority in their party platform the reduction of the MP’s Gold Plated pension plan. Unfortunately we Easterners laughed at the hayseed from Alberta. Too late now.

VERY INTERESTING And PROFOUND!

the awful truth of it.. ~~!!
>

> Tax his land, Tax his bed,
> Tax the table at which he’s fed.

> Tax his work, Tax his pay,
> He works for peanuts anyway!

> Tax his cow, Tax his goat,
> Tax his pants, Tax his coat..

> Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink,
> Tax him if he tries to think.

> Tax his car, Tax his gas,
> Find other ways to tax his ass.

> Tax all he has then let him know
> That you won’t be done till he has no dough.

> When he hollers; then tax him some more,
> Tax him till he’s good and sore.

> Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave,
> Tax the sod in which he’s laid.

> When he’s gone, do not relax,
> It’s time to apply the inheritance tax.

> Accounts Receivable Tax
> Airline surcharge tax
> Airline Fuel Tax
> Airport Maintenance Tax
> Building Permit Tax
> Cigarette Tax
> Corporate Income Tax
> Death Tax
> Dog License Tax
> Driving Permit Tax
> Environmental Tax (Fee)
> Excise Taxes
> Federal Income Tax
> Federal Unemployment (UI)
> Fishing License Tax
> Food License Tax
> Gasoline Tax (too much per liter)
> Gross Receipts Tax
> Health Tax
> Hunting License Tax
> Hydro Tax
> Inheritance Tax
> Interest Tax
> Liquor Tax
> Luxury Taxes
> Marriage License Tax
> Medicare Tax
> Mortgage Tax
> Personal Income Tax
> Property Tax
> Poverty Tax
> Prescription Drug Tax
> Provincial Income and sales tax
> Real Estate Tax
> Recreational Vehicle Tax
> Retail Sales Tax
> Service Charge Tax
> School Tax
> Telephone Federal Tax
> Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
> Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
> Vehicle License Registration Tax
> Vehicle Sales Tax
> Water Tax
> Watercraft Registration Tax
> Well Permit Tax
> Workers Compensation Tax

— and in 2010 —

> the HST

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago, & our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids…

What in “Hell” happened?…Can you spell ‘politicians ?’

I hope this goes around CANADA at least 100 times. YOU can help it get there.

PLEASE, GO AHEAD - - - Pass it on….

I have never worked for any form of Government so my pension (?) consists of
OAS, CPP, RIIF, and investments listed on the TSX. While our MP’s have their
gold plated pensions, any dividends I receive are grossed up by 45%. Thank
you Mr. Flaherty.

During a Roy Green program (CKNW) on April 23/10 , it was disclosed that the Auditor-General was forbidden by legislation from auditing the expense accounts of senators and members of parliament .
I find this very distubing if it is true !
Does anyone else feel the same way ?