Extension of pension deadline proposed for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

On September 26, 2018 Member of Parliament Daniel Blaikie (Elmwood-Transcona, NDP) introduced Private Member’s Bill C-414, which seeks to extend by one year the deadline by which employees of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories can continue contributing to their public service pension plans.

In September 2015, employees of Canada’s nuclear facilities were given notice that following a transitional period of three years, they would no longer be able to contribute to their public service pension plans. This affects thousands of Canadians, including some 800 PIPSC members working at the Chalk River and Whiteshell facilities.

Our members deserve retirement security. It wasn’t fair that these highly skilled professionals were removed from their pension plan by the previous federal government, without a say or a vote on this issue. Instead, they were pushed out of their pension plan without consultation for short-term economic and political gain.

Good pensions help attract top talent. The continued success and prosperity of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is directly connected to the ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified workers. 

PIPSC has raised this issue on numerous occasions, but has been disappointed with the government’s lack of action on this critical matter. This Bill is an opportunity to step in and fix the Harper government’s incredible blunder.  It’s the right thing to do and it’s the only choice to make in defense of Canada’s nuclear professionals!

Better Together!

Debi Daviau,
President