Among the odious collection of legislation in Bill 22 was the move to seize control of assets from public sector pension plans and deposit them into AIMCo. While I could debate the merits of this issue, which was never disclosed during the UCP election campaign, I will instead focus on the manner in which the UCP government treated the pensions of its 'valued' employees. If the UCP honestly felt that this legislation was mutually beneficial to members and taxpayers, why not take the time to convince us? Why such a rush?
My family raised me to treat others the way I wish to be treated. It seems that perhaps the UCP MLAs missed that lesson on the Golden Rule. However, it is never too late to learn it and put it into practise.
UCP MLAs, if you honestly believe that your government's approach was fair, I imagine you would have no problem passing another piece of Golden Rule Legislation requiring every MLA who voted in favour of Bill 22 to immediately transfer their personal RRSPs to AIMCo, to invest on your behalf. I know you weren’t expecting this, but don’t worry, you will be permitted three hours of debate and then your RRSPs will be transferred anyway. And I expect you to be happy about it and keep working hard to serve the people of the Alberta. Don’t worry, you keep telling us how wonderful life will be with AIMCo!
Well, why not? That is what your government did to me and my pension assets. While it might be a hypothetical issue for you, your high-handed pension seizure is reality for me and about 300,000 Albertans. Would you feel disrespected? Because I do! Deeply and profoundly! And now your government paternalistically expects me to 'trust' that I will be better off as a result and that my pension assets are ‘safe’ from political interference?
So, UCP, delay this implementation until those affected are convinced and an independent audit is conducted to objectively review its merits. Or, I expect to see this new Golden Rule legislation drafted and passed immediately. Again, don’t worry, Minister Toews keeps telling us that adding more assets to AIMCo is better for everyone – so, UCP MLAs, hand over your personal RRSPs! Put your money where your mouth is!
Joan Tod, St. Albert
