Re: 鈥淔ailed opportunity 鈥� poverty strategy leaves poorest behind,鈥� comment, March 23.
The writer makes excellent points, but there is still much to celebrate in 鈥淭ogether B.C.鈥� A progressive change sounded the death knell of one of the most diabolical pieces of legislation ever to hit the political history books.
Minister Shane Simpson鈥檚 poverty-reduction plan states the following measure: 鈥淓nding early CPP: Currently people between the ages of 60聽and 64 who access assistance are forced to take early pension payments with the Canada Pension Plan. Because there are financial penalties for accessing these retirement benefits early, we will eliminate that requirement.鈥�
That law, enacted during the welfare 鈥渟lash and burn鈥� days of Mike Harcourt鈥檚 NDP government, has been causing hardship, suffering and financial losses to our poorest and most vulnerable citizens for more than 20聽years. Its demise is a massive grassroots victory for people, including myself, who voiced strong opposition to the policy.
While I am happy for present clients spared the hell of that legislation, where鈥檚 the justice for those of us still in chains because of it? The 鈥渇inancial penalties鈥� for me are lifelong: An almost 40 per cent reduction in my monthly CPP payments and lowered GIS payments due to the extra pension income forced upon me.
The B.C. NDP owes the victims restitution for all the money they lost in the past because of the CPP policy, and it should end all ongoing financial losses to ex-clients by allowing them to cancel the CPP applications completed under duress and reapply at the optimal rate in their own time.
Doreen Marion Gee
Victoria
