FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDMONTON NEW DEMOCRATS SHOW SUPPORT FOR RETIRED AND DISABLED POLICE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS
Martin and Cardinal say people who served their country and community should keep their retirement funds.
EDMONTON – Edmonton’s New Democrats are voicing their support for retired and disabled RCMP officers and armed forces personnel who are having their pensions clawed back when they begin receiving CPP.
“The Conservatives love to claim that they support the troops and police” said Edmonton East candidate Ray Martin. “But when it comes to giving them a chance to help them retire with dignity, they voted to continue this claw back.”
This spring, Edmonton Conservative M.P.s like Peter Goldring and Laurie Hawn voted against Bill C-201, a bill that would give a full superannuation of the benefits back to retired RCMP officers and armed forces personnel when they begin receiving CPP.
Edmonton-Strathcona M.P. Linda Duncan and other NDP M.P.s voted in favour of the bill.
“Why do the Conservatives feel it’s ok to maintain this reduction to the heroes who have to risk their lives for our country and communities?” said Edmonton Centre candidate Lewis Cardinal. “November 11 is the day we honour our veterans, but we need to support them every day.”
Bill C-201, put forward by Nova Scotia NDP MP Peter Stoffer, was adopted by the House of Commons, but the Conservatives refused to grant a “royal recommendation”. Stoffer has pledged to re-introduce the legislation in the next Parliament.
