It is insulting to see Quebec’s federal pensioners chasing their money as reported The newspaper For weeks, the Bloc Québécois (BQ) has been calling for an investigation to shed light on the transfer of insurance from SunLife to Canada Life.
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“We have submitted a request to the Government Operations Committee to investigate the transition of Sunlife to Canada Life as an insurer,” Julie Vignola, in charge of procurement and government operations files at the Bloc Québécois (BQ), told the Journal.
“The study will focus on the contractor’s ability to provide the expected services, their quality and the process of awarding the contract to Canada Life,” she continued.
Canada Life is part of the multinational Power Corporation, controlled by the Desmarais clan. The headquarters are in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Julie Vignola, responsible for the Government Procurement and Operations file at the Bloc Québécois (BQ). Photo provided by the Bloc Québécois
According to Julie Vignola, the responsible ministers and the insurer should take a stand in the committee as quickly as possible and be held accountable.
“We’re talking about a half-billion-dollar contract that will be awarded in 2021! Enough is enough,” emphasized Julie Vignola, MP for Beauport-Limoilou.
Silence in Trudeau’s cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office was questioned by Le Journal in recent days and preferred to hand responsibility to Treasury Board President Anita Anand.
“Minister Anand also takes very seriously the issues and concerns that officials have with Canada Life’s services,” her press secretary Ezekiel Nana assured the Journal. It was said that 1.7 million people would be affected by the change in the pension system.
Senior SCT leaders meet regularly with Canada Life management to inform them of problems, it says.
“Minister Anand has met with Canada Life executives on multiple occasions to express her concerns about call center delays and transition issues,” she said.
Anita Anand’s office said it is pushing to reduce wait times and “improve the attendee experience.”
The Journal said it wants to find solutions to ensure retirees, civil servants and their dependents get what they need to receive their benefits.
“She [Anita Anand] reiterated that plan participants deserve and must receive world-class support to access their benefits,” his office concluded.
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