What they are saying: Support growing for New Democrats’ reforms to retirement security

Last week Jack Layton laid out a four point plan to help fix retirement security for Canadians so that once more, workers can count on getting the pensions they’ve paid into for years.

Layton’s proposals for pension reform are sensible, affordable, and should be adopted right away. That’s what they’re saying:

“Give Jack Layton credit … The day after Nortel pensioners and their union supporters protested on the lawn of Parliament, the New Democratic Party leader was ready with specific proposals, aimed at ensuring that pensioners aren't stranded when their companies go bankrupt, or their private pension plans become insolvent through no fault of their own.”
– Susan Riley, Ottawa Citizen, 23 October 2009

“I applaud federal NDP leader Jack Layton for highlighting a very serious problem in Canada; the future of pension plans.”
– Murray Langdon, C-FAX 1070 (Victoria), 23 October 2009

“Retired Nortel employee Ken Lyons called the NDP's suggestion an ‘excellent idea.’ ‘If it is implemented quickly, it would really help us,’ he said.”
– Ottawa Sun, 23 October 2009

“NDP Leader Jack Layton this week proposed a national pension insurance program to protect workers whose companies go bankrupt and leave retired employees in the lurch. The self-sustaining program would be funded by employer contributions and guarantee pensioners $2,500 per month in the event their plan is wound up.”
– Canadian Press, 24 October 2009

“Mr. Layton’s idea is to provide a self-sustaining plan that would cover pensioners or retirees should their company go bankrupt. A recent flock of angry Nortel workers atop Parliament Hill served as an all-too-eerie reminder of what can happen in the private sector.”
– Murray Langdon, C-FAX 1070 (Victoria), 23 October 2009

“[Stephen Harper] would be wise to respond swiftly and seriously.”
– Susan Riley, Ottawa Citizen, 23 October 2009