Skip to main content
Pensions

Bill C27

By September 12, 2017September 8th, 2019No Comments
[av_one_full first av_uid=’av-8l1oj’]

WHO’S THE TARGET? YOU ARE.
Bill C-27:
Contacting your MP Campaign

[/av_one_full]

 

BCRTA Response Strategy in a Nutshell

  • Read the background information on this critical issue before taking any action (see Background to Bill C-27); (hyperlink)
  • Make personal written contact with your federal MP (email or written letter);
  • Encourage others to write, our goal is to ensure that each MP is contacted by 25 of their constituents on this issue – click here to send information to your friends now;
  • Write a separate letter to other MPs you wish to influence, including the Prime Minister of Canada and the federal Minister of Finance;
  • If you are speaking to your MP, be prepared explain your concerns;
  • Emphasize that adoption of this legislation will have create huge pressures on all defined benefit plans to convert to TB plans as they will relieve plan sponsors and corporations from their future obligations to the plan;
  • Keep the BCRTA office apprised of the results. Send a short email to laurie@bcrta.ca

Detailed strategy

We understand that 25 personal contacts by constituents to a Member of Parliament is enough to get the Member’s attention and initiate discussion within caucus and action on an issue.  We would like to reach each BC Member of Parliament with 25 contacts so we are reaching out to you. So that you can speak knowledgeably and confidently on the issue, we are providing background information and assistance.

The most effective interaction is a personal visit to your MP. The list of MPs and their constituency offices is provided in this package. Please do make an appointment to see your MP or take advantage of one of their public appearances. MPs often have ‘Meet your MP’ events. Read through the Backgrounder and make a few notes of the main issues you want to make.  It is better to have you own notes than to give the MP our prepared information. Your personal views pack more punch than getting another copy of a form letter from a lobby group.

It may be easier to make a contact with your MP by phone and we encourage that. Prepare the same way.

It is quite likely that your MP will know less about this issue than you do if you have prepared for the conversation. MPs have many different issues on their agenda and they can’t know deeply about all of them. So you may need to educate your MP as well as explain your concern.

An MP who is knowledgeable about this issue may attempt to ease your concern by saying that the bill covers only federally regulated pension plans – ours in provincially regulated – and that members can only surrender their current pension rights through their informed consent. Neither of these responses should give us any comfort.  We believe that if this Bill passes there will be huge pressures on all defined benefit plans to convert to TB plans because corporations and governments can get out of their future responsibilities with this plan.

Informed consent sounds reassuring but given that the Bill allows employers to use carrots and sticks to push employees to sacrifice their Defined Benefit plans for a Target Benefit plan it is still worrisome. Carrots might be salary increases or job promotions.  Sticks might include threats of job losses or company bankruptcy. These pressures may convince some employees to sacrifice their long-term financial security – their future pension – for a short-term gain. When you first began teaching, did you value your pension as much as you do now?

A third option is writing a letter to your MP. This is much less effective because letters are often read by staff – not by the MP – and you will get a standard, “Thank you for writing” response.  Form letters are the least effective. If letter writing is the only way you can participate, please do that as every voice can add to the effort. We have included two sample letters – a short one and a longer one – as a guide to how you might write your MP.  We would encourage you to use these letters as a model and make changes so that each letter is unique. An old-fashioned, handwritten letter is the most effective because it shows that you care about the issue enough to spend the time communicating your concerns. Remember that letters mailed in Canada to your MP do not require a stamp.

Last step

Please share your experience with us so we can track our campaign and ensure that each BC MP receives at least 25 comments urging the defeat of this bill.  You can copy, complete and paste this form in an email and send it to Laurie at the BCRTA office.

See a sample letter to an MP

See a sample phone call with an MP

Once you make contact with your MP, please send the following info to laurie@bcrta.com

Your name:

Your MP’s name:

Date of contact:

Type of contact:  Personal visit, phone call, letter sent

Any response?