MP pension changes pulled from omnibus bill and passed

OTTAWA – The House of Commons has unanimously approved changes to the MP pension plan after splitting them off from the government’s big omnibus budget bill.

After negotiations, the Commons adopted a motion to whip the changes through with a single motion.

The changes will sharply increase the contributions MPs must make to their pensions and require them to wait until age 65 to collect.

Contributions which now run about $11,000 a year will rise to about $39,000.

Under the old system, MPs could start collecting a pension at age 55.

Opposition MPs, while pronouncing themselves pleased with getting the pension changes through swiftly, are still arguing that the 443-page omnibus bill should be further sub-divided.