Conclusion:

Finally, to significantly improve the protection of working people, we need both pension improvements and a government committed to full employment.  Some considerable time has elapsed since Ontario had such a public policy commitment. Such a commitment would necessitate government intervention in the economy with fiscal and monetary policies, enforced regulations and strategic public ownership.

In essence, such a direction would entail the reversal of the neo-liberal, pro-market, pro-privatization, low-wage direction of the last several decades.  It would mean putting people – their standard of living, their communities and their pensions – before profits. Unemployed and under-employed people with low incomes are unable to contribute adequately to pensions, should they be fortunate enough to have one, far less retire in dignity.

A Government full employment policy and far reaching pension reform could well make the difference and provide a genuine right to retire for all who so desire.

Respectfully submitted,

CS/jm
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