Steven Lamb
Monday’s passing of Jack Layton marks more than the loss of a political icon. Layton was a staunch advocate of a stronger government role in retirement funding.
Layton was a strong advocate for pension reform and retirement adequacy. Expanding the Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan was a central plank in the platform of this charismatic NDP leader.
“We don’t really have an adequate system of retirement security in the country,” he told crowds on the campaign trail. His solution would have seen CPP and QPP payments doubled, rather than bringing in the voluntary pooled pension plan brought in by the Conservatives.