Hands Off Yukoners' Pensions, Mr. Day

22-Feb-2010

Whitehorse – Yukon Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell is concerned by the recent refusal of Treasury Board president Stockwell Day to provide assurances that public pension plans are off limits in the coming federal belt tightening. Mr. Day met recently with the head of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and stopped short of offering a firm assurance that public pension plans would remain intact. Both Day and federal finance minister Jim Flaherty have confirmed spending cuts are on the way in the upcoming federal budget.

“As most YTG pensions are still controlled by Ottawa this is very worrying news,” said Mitchell. “The federal Conservatives have run up a huge deficit and it looks like they are going to try and reduce it by cutting workers’ pensions and future benefits.”

Mitchell said he is curious what action, if any, the new Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, Elaine Taylor, has taken on this issue. “As least on paper she is the Minister responsible even if Mr. Fentie is behind her pulling all the strings,” he said. ‘What message has she sent to Mr. Day and to his boss, Mr. Harper?”

Mitchell said the Yukon Liberal Party does not support scaling back pensions, wages or benefits for government employees.

“I think all Yukon government employees and their families would like to hear where the Yukon Party government stands on this issue,” said Mitchell. “It’s time for Mr. Fentie to stand up to his fellow Conservatives and tell them to keep theirs hands off. It should be a pretty straightforward case of standing up for Yukoners.”

For additional information contact:
Sheena Smart 667-5081