Canadian Retirement Pensions

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the area of social policy related to retirement pensions in Canada. The paper evaluates the Canadian pension policy (CPP) and the origins of this policy, as well as major developments as this policy was implemented and administered by provincial governments, and ultimately became a federal policy nationwide. The paper also analyzes debates among scholars and policy-makers related to the origins and evolution of this policy, in order to determine why retirement pension policy is discriminatory against women and the working poor. In conclusion, the paper shows that women and the working poor are victimized by wage inequality all of their working lives, and then are victimized again because retirement pension amounts are affected by the amount the worker pays in before retirement.

Outline:
Introduction
Origins in the Context of Welfare State
Developments
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The development of government pension policies in Canada was influenced by the implementation of pension programs in Europe. Social Democrats in Germany and Liberals in Great Britain were among the first to argue that elderly and ill workers deserved state assistance. The implementation of old age pensions in the UK had a significant impact on the pension debate in Canada and strengthened the position of middle class Canadians on this issue, who succeeded in convincing Canadian lawmakers that pensions should be provided to elderly Canadians. Despite the implementation of pension programs and related forms of government assistance, opponents of this policy continued to criticize it as Marxist and feminist radicalism. The corporate elite resisted by compelling the government to under-fund pension plans, ignored the reality and consequences of unequal incomes because of gender discrimination, and argued that a portion of employee income should be set aside for retirement."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bryden, P.E. Planners and Politicians. Montreal: McGill Queen's University Press, 1997.
• Finkel, Alvin. Social Policy and Practice in Canada. Waterloo: Wilfred Laurier University Press, 2006.
• Finkel, Alvin. Course Guide. Canadian Social Policy: History and Current Trends. Athabasca University, 2007.
• "Securing the Canada Pension Plan." CPP. Online. Available: http://www.fin.gc.ca/ cpp/sec/secure.html. 6 March 2007.

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