Policy alert

Jack Layton promises pension reform.

To remedy this issue, Layton said an elected NDP government would immediately work with the provinces to double CPP and QPP benefits. But he would allow Canadians to "prop up" their CPP savings with their personal income ... The NDP believes that doubling CPP and QPP benefits could require a 2.5 per cent increase in payroll deductions. Layton also pledged to add $700 million to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) to help out seniors in the lowest income brackets.