OP ED – GETTING THE FACTS STRAIGHT ON PUBLIC PENSIONS
- Claire Lepage, Chair, Pension Coalition NB
As Chair of Pension Coalition NB, I feel compelled to set the record straight with respect to illegal changes to public sector pensions that the Alward government introduced with great fanfare. The Shared Risk Pension model was touted to be a model to be adopted by jurisdictions nationwide. The reality is that neighbouring jurisdictions did proceed with necessary changes but did so with due process and respect of the laws of this land.
The continued characterization of the editorial boards, that retirees of the Public sector should stop advocating for their "entitlements" and that they have no regard for the well being of fellow New Brunswickers, the state of the economy nor public interests, is clearly false and misguided. There are reasons why there are at least 3 legal challenges in the Court of Queen’s Bench challenging the Shared Risk Pension plan.
Legal Update/Dossier légal - Mise a Jour
Board members of Pension Coalition NB were in Court last week attending a hearing on "supposed conflict of interest allegations" against various parties in the Levesque case. The Levesque case is also a case supporting our collective retiree rights and very important to us all. The motion has been adjourned to the week of April 24.
We are also very pleased to inform you that 5 CUPE locals of NB have filed an affidavit seeking intervener status in the Levesque case. The intervener matter has been adjourned to a later date.
Any new legal updates will be sent to members as soon as we can as we progress with hearings through the Court of Queen’s Bench.
Pension Coalition NB
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Quelques membres de votre conseil d'administration de Pension Coalition NB étaient presents la semaine dernière, afin d' entendre des "soi-disante propos de conflits d'intéret "contre des parties du cas Lévesque. Le cas Lévesque est fort important pour les retraités, pcq ' il revendique une protection de nos droits acquis. La motion a été reporté a la semaine du 24 avril prochain.
Nous sommes très heureux de vous informer cependant que 5 groupes collectifs de CUPE -SCFP ont déposé un affidavit afin d' être intervenant dans le cas Lévesque. Le dossier a été reporté à une date ultérieure.
Soyez assure que toutes mise a jour de notre poursuite légale vous sera transmisè des que possible.
Pension Coaliation N-B
Legal Fees and Income Tax Filling/Frais Juridique et Déclaration d'Impôt
Pension Coalition NB has been made aware of line 232- CRA Legal Fees, which seems to suggest eligibility to claim contributions made to the legal defense fund on your income tax return. We have attached an interpretation bulletin (click here for bulletin- english). You may wish to consult with whoever prepares your taxes. We would encourage you to have your PayPal receipts as well as your cancelled cheques ready to show proof of contribution.
Pension Coalition NB à pris connaissance de la ligne 232 de Revenu Canada - Frais Juridique, qui semble suggérer une déduction possiblement éligible. Nous avons annexé un bulletin d'interprétation - version anglaise. Vous voulez possiblement consulter votre aviseur financier, au besoin. Nous vous encourageons d' avoir vos reçus de PayPal ou chèques cancellés, afin de démontrer preuve de contribution au Fond de Défense Légal.
Season's Greetings, Souhaits pour la Saison Estivale
Pensioners and Friends of the Coalition,
May we take this opportunity to wish you and yours a joyous festive season and all the best for 2017. Our sincere hope is that our legal challenge will see the light of day in Court and that we all have a successful resolution to our case in 2017.
Pension Coalition NB
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Chers retraités et amis de la Coalition,
Permettez - nous de vous souhaiter à vous et votre famille, une belle saison estivale et que 2017 soit une année des plus productives. Nous espérons que notre cas legal verra le jour en 2017 et aura une conclusion des plus positive.
Sincerement,
Pension Coalition NB
A path forward- Un parcours défini
The Coalition is pleased to inform you that we finally have a path forward in the Court of Queen's Bench to hear the arguments for the two cases advocating for the rights of retirees.
You will note below, key dates for hearings and tabling of any documents, as per rules of the Court.