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At issue is the fact that the federal government raided a $28 billion surplus from pension plans of federal public service employees
Ottawa (25 January 2011) – The Public Service Alliance of Canada is appealing an October decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal, dismissing our case against the federal government for expropriating $28 billion from the federal superannuation fund.
At issue is the fact that the federal government raided a $28 billion surplus from the public service, RCMP and Canadian Forces pension plans after passing legislation that restructured the way the plans are managed.
PSAC claims that the government breached the trust of plan members, violating its fiduciary duty and not meeting its obligations.
In addition, PSAC maintains that the removal of $28 billion in pension contributions, impacting 700,000 employees, is a matter of national importance.
The union believes that the trial judge incorrectly concluded that the Superannuation Accounts had not accrued assets. The evidence clearly demonstrated that the government was required to and did put aside real funds to deal with its pension obligations, along with funds collected from plan members' contributions.
PSAC also disagrees with the trial judge's conclusion that the government had no fiduciary obligation toward plan members and toward their interest in the surplus. The evidence presented in the case established that this was true.
The Court of Appeal found that the federal government did have the discretion to remove the surplus funds, even if it resulted in higher pension contributions for plan members. PSAC believes that the government must be held to account for its actions and that the funds should be restored to the pension fund.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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Federal unions dealt another blow over pension surplus case