Reviewing Ontario's pension system

The Commission and its assignment In November 2006, the Honourable Greg Sorbara, Minister of Finance, appointed an Expert Commission “to examine the legislation that governs the funding of defined benefit pension plans in Ontario, the rules relating to pension deficits and surpluses and other issues relating to the security, viability and sustainability of the pension system in Ontario.” The Commi [...] Finally, they identify the principles which are to guide the Commission’s work: the importance of maintaining and encouraging the system of defined benefit pension plans in Ontario; the importance of maintaining the affordability of defined benefit pension plans for both members and sponsors; the importance of pension plans in supporting a competitive economy; the need to safeguard the sec [...] Consequently, the amount of the employee’s pension depends on several factors, especially the amount of the lump sum available at retirement and the costs of annuities at the time the annuity is purchased. [...] So too are the effects of pension plans on the productivity of Ontario workers, and the attachments of workers to particular employers and to the workplace in general. [...] And the accumulation and investment of the huge assets of occupational pension plans is a significant factor in determining the strength of financial markets and the availability of investment capital.