In the 2005 federal election campaign, the former Conservative leader, Steven Harper, stated: (Hansard 2005) " When a motion passes the democratic elected majority of the House of Commons, the Government shall honour that motion." Once elected prime minister, he broke his election promise and refused to move forward the successful vote of Bill C-201.
Hon. Scheer and Hon Raitt: Veterans are very disappointed that as a Conservative leader you refused to reply to our committee letters requesting that you support the termination of the CPP pension clawback to our Forces pension.
Our request to end the CPP pension clawback can be implemented at no cost to the taxpayers. A former commissioner with the Canadian Pension and Appeal Board has identified that a simple white paper can amend the Pension Act and its policies.
The facts are clear. The Government of Canada has breached our enrolment contract. During our enrolment we were promised that we would benefit of a full pension calculated at two per cent of our best six years for a period of 25 years of service.
The CPP plan was established to provide another source for an "income security" program to supplement the Old Age Security plan and not to claw back our paid for and earned Forces pension.
Fifty-four former officers of the rank of general support our claim. Military/RCMP veterans and their families are now being asked to support the Conservative party in the next federal election. The committee must advise that veterans’ support will not be forthcoming unless the Conservative leader clearly identifies that if elected the Conservatives will take action during the first year of the mandate to terminate the CPP pension clawback affecting veterans and their families at age 65.
John Labelle
Lower Sackville, N.S.
