Excerpt from HANSARD Discussion on Teachers’ Pensions Plan Pensions Mr. Melanson: The Minister of Finance met with the New Brunswick Teachers’ Federation on Friday with regard to pension discussions. It is our understanding, based on what we have read in the media, that the minister made a counteroffer. We also understand through the media that, over the weekend, there were negotiations, discussions, and counteroffers from the New Brunswick Teachers’ Federation. I understand the minister cannot negotiate on the floor of the Legislature. I respect that, and we respect that. However, I think that the teachers of New Brunswick, the official opposition, and everybody here in this Legislature deserve to have an update, a real update, from the Minister of Finance with regard to this situation—this very important situation—based on the discussions over the weekend. Hon. Mr. Higgs: The member opposite is certainly correct. This is a very important issue, and we are having very meaningful discussions with the teachers. I appreciate the interest and the realization of just what is required in order to make this an effective path going forward and also to have, at the end of the day, a pension plan that is safe and secure for retirees, future employees, and current employees. Yes, we met on Friday. We made a counter proposal to the teachers. We met again on Sunday morning. We met with our own group through Sunday. We had meetings on Monday and Monday night with our own group to get prepared for another meeting midweek.This process is ongoing. We are having very meaningful discussions on what the teachers proposed. Again, our process is that we want to be sure that the plan is secure and safe and that it meets the objectives we have met with others. The teachers deserve a reliable pension plan just like what the other members have. That is our goal. Mr. Melanson: To follow up on what the minister just said, this is what we need to understand today: Is there mutual trust in these negotiations and in these conversations? The minister is saying that they need to make sure that the plan is safe and secure. This is different language from what we had last week. He talked about sustainability. Today, it is about being safe and secure. It probably means the same thing. The fact is that the teachers are going to Conservative MLAs’ offices to protest, to really call into question whether the Minister of Finance and this government really mean to have some true, meaningful conversations and trustworthy discussions. Why do the teachers have to go out and protest in Conservative MLAs’ offices if there are really meaningful and trustworthy discussions in your negotiations? Mr. Speaker: Time, member. Hon. Mr. Higgs: I would suggest that the member opposite ask the teachers that question. I have asked, and I am hopeful that, as they show up at different MLAs’ offices, you actually ask them: What is the issue? Why are you here? It was certainly a surprise to us. Maybe it is one that is felt to put additional pressure on the decision-making process. However, it will not impact the bottom line, which is that we need a sustainable, secure, reliable plan—however many adjectives you need to ensure that a pension plan is there when people count on it and need it. That is our mutual goal. Our discussions have been good. We have had good, open debate on what the issues are. We are going through the actuarial evaluations to make sure that we understand each other. We want a plan that is secure and reliable and that is as risk-free as the plans that we have put forward thus far. I am not sure why the protests are happening, other than to be an outside activity that distracts from the process. I do not consider it helpful, but it will not distract us from the main goal, which is to ensure that we have a good pension plan. Hon. Mr. Higgs: These rallies are not conducive to enhancing the trust factor. I certainly agree with that, because they separate and distract from the process. In terms of updating the individual members, the NBTF has made it very clear that that is its job. Its job is to keep both the retirees and the current members updated on the progress of the discussions, so we have honoured that. However, it is important that they get information and that they understand it, so that is why I will say this again about the individuals who are showing up: Ask them why they are there. I am not sure what the issue is. We have said we are looking at all issues, and that includes the retirement age. We are looking at the funding models. We are seriously looking at the proposal, and the time we are spending to do this is no token effort. It is a very serious, concentrated evaluation of what they are proposing. Hon. Mr. Higgs: This is a serious process, and we need to keep it focused within the negotiations.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 13:11:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015