Chris's Posts

With so much at stake, this year’s federal budget could have made a positive difference here in Hamilton.

Instead, on almost every front, this budget fails Canadians.

It does little to create jobs, something Stephen Harper had promised for months. Instead, this budget weakens the environmental review process for Mr. Harper’s friends in the oil and gas industry. And it attacks our most vital public services—including health care and public pensions.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, ever since the Prime Minister fled to Davos, Switzerland, to announce that he would be raising the age of OAS eligibility from 65 to 67, Canadians from across the country have been signing petitions to urge the government to change its mind.

I am proud to present petitions today signed by literally hundreds of people from my home town of Hamilton who are joining that campaign.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-357, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan (arrears of benefits).

She said: Madam Speaker, these last few years have been incredibly difficult for seniors. They have worked hard all their lives and played by the rules. However, now their retirement savings are threatened through no fault of their own, but because of downturns in the economy and employers who are trying to avoid their pension obligations.