It looks like Finance Minister Flaherty is actually listening and looking for solutions before the younger Canadians find themselves in even bigger doo-doo than thay are at the moment. If you have any ideas don't be shy about contacting either the minister or your MP.
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By THE CANADIAN PRESS
WINNIPEG - The federal government is "all ears" on pension reform, and is not taking a stand yet on whether Canadians should be required or simply encouraged to sock away more money for their later years, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Monday.
"We're not prejudging these issues. Two of the opposition parties in the House of Commons have made their choices ... we're prepared to listen," Flaherty told reporters before meeting with a small invitation-only group of business, labour and academic leaders.
Monday's meeting was one of several Flaherty is holding as he looks for ways to help ensure Canadians have enough money for retirement. With a smaller percentage of Canadians enjoying private pension plans through their employers and other avenues, Flaherty is facing pressure to beef up public benefits.
A Statistics Canada report last month said only half of all tax filers in 2008 participated in a private retirement savings plan, down from 57 per cent in 1997.
British Columbia and Alberta have threatened to set up their own voluntary pension supplement unless Ottawa leads the way and produces a new national plan soon. Flaherty plans to meet with his provincial counterparts in late spring to discuss the issue.
Some labour leaders and the New Democrats want the government to double benefits under the Canada Pension Plan - a move that would presumably necessitate higher premiums.
The Liberals are pushing a voluntary top-up to the Canada Pension Plan.
Other groups want voluntary measures, such as a higher cap on registered retirement savings plans, to encourage people to set aside more money.
Flaherty said he is not making up his mind yet.
"We really are all ears. I want to hear from everybody. I want to hear what they have to say."
Critics argue Flaherty is hearing mostly from select audience. While there have been open town halls, including a recent one in Charlottetown, some of Flaherty's meetings are being held behind closed-doors with an invitation-only crowd.
Monday's session involved 14 invited people representing the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Canadian Federation of Students and other groups.
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