A Letter of Response concerning differences about Unlocking Pensions

Hi Everybody ;

This is a letter that Grant wrote to various people in Local Government when they become offended because Ken was sending them information on Bill 27 . I will not be naming names of the ones that that seem to think this is a frivolus issue , but to be sure I will be holding those names and answers in my e-mail folder .

Good Afternoon,

This is in response to ALL those who've responded to Ken Elliott and
Philip James, and a personal perspective from all sides of this issue.

Neither of these gentlemen have stated mistruths. The HANSARD quotes
are very accurate and truthful.

Sure, some, not all, are offended that anyone out there could/would
have the audacity to question our supposedly "highly esteemed",
"sometimes righteous", "honourable politicians". How dare any one of
the generally disconnected public even conceive a notion to penetrate
the protected inner-circle of politics - regional, provincial or
federal.

Mr. Elliot has simply regurgitated the words of it's provincial
legislators. I know it's disturbing. I too would be disgusted having
someone rub my nose in it, especially if I knew I had something to do
with the injustice of Bill 27.
Come-on everyone - have you not taken the time to read the statements
of your fellow politicians own words in the HANSARD!
These are not Mr. Elliott's words - they belong to politicians - yes,
some of the very politicians that some of you are voraciously
defending. Do you think ALL of the electorate do not pay attention?

As far as I can see, following the recent email train, Mr. Elliot has
also included regional officials as a matter of courtesy so that they
too can be aware of their constituents issues pertaining to provincial
restrictions on the very source of their well-being and financial
livelihood.

Why is their such disdain for truthful information and the reality of
locked-in pensions and the financial hardships it continues to wreak on
all Ontario locked-in pensioners?

I think Mr. Elliott's inclusion of regional leaders to the locked-in
pension issue is very valid and is certainly not "frivolous" at all.
Any municipal leader should welcome this information so that they may
better understand the "other issues" affecting their residents.
Perhaps, some leaders may even have the courage to stand up to their
provincial relatives and demand EQUALITY for their citizens, once
informed about the restrictive nature of those pensioners with
locked-in pensions and their ability, or lack there-of, to meet their
municipal financial obligations while putting food on their tables and
keeping their lights and heat on.

This is NOT A PERSONAL WITCH HUNT.
IT IS A QUEST for TRUE DEMOCRACY, EQUALITY and FAIRNESS for all
ONTARIANS - ALL ONTARIANS - NOT JUST THE SELF-PRIVILEGED!!
So turning it into a personal issue detracts from the real intent of
the message.

This battle started out the day after Dec 22, 1999 with the selfish
inclusion of an exclusive amendment to the MPP's Pension Act, granting
them and them ONLY, full 100% access to their locked-in pensions while
leaving the rest of ALL Ontarians with similar wound-up pensions on the
outside with no such privilege!

I personally have spoken to a previous individual, who along with
others in his group, back in 2000, attempted to bring the inequality
issue of locked-in pensions to their provincial rulers - all to no
avail - big surprise. He informed me, not unlike those of us today, he
too was stonewalled at every turn.
He was typically met with the all too often and convenient "blame
game", silent treatment, ignored emails, canned responses, endless
shell game referrals etc. - you all know what I mean.

So some of you who've come out against Ken Elliott's approach to bring
out the truth about the selfish exclusion of millions of Ontarians,
courtesy of Bill 27, and appeal to the common decency of "those
responsible" or "those who can affect change", I ask the following
questions;
1) How many years does it take to include ALL Ontarians and correct a
government implemented injustice?
2) How many more locked-in pensioners have to "LIVE BROKE - DIE RICH"?
3) How many more discussions, round tables, inquiries, panels,
commissions to investigate?
4) How many more political leaders will continue to stand down, "stay
out of it" and turn the other way?
5) How many more recognized economics experts, such as Jack Mintz,
Malcolm Hamilton, Gord Pape, numerous seniors organizations such as
CARP need to heard from before we do what's right?
6) What is the "polite" and "political way" to democracy? Ten years
using that approach have come and gone and we still have unequal
locked-in pension legislation.

And finally - to all those who are critical of Mr. Elliott's method
using email to inform people of the real hidden truth of Bill 27 as
being too drastic, hostile, impolite, rude, frivolous, vexatious etc.,
and since I've yet to read anyone openly challenge the Hansard and it's
contents relating to the exchanges of politicians regarding the "double
standard"- DM 1999, and injustice of two separate laws for the same
locked-in pensions, I welcome hearing the so-called proper detailed
approach to correcting the injustice so that we can finally put an end
to the collective silence and make ONTARIO an "equal" and "fair"
province for ALL it's residents and not just the clever.

For those of you who believe that all Ontarians should be treated
equally in terms of locked-in pensions, and who possess leadership
qualities and the knowledge to affect change, step forward and guide
the way for those less politically savvy and connected and rally behind
the cause to unlock pensions for ALL Ontarians. You too, are welcome to
rally to the aid of your residents.

Or, the choice can be to simply choose to continue to ignore it all, as
those in power have demonstrated for the past ten years, point the
finger to someone else as "not my problem - problem solved", detract
from, attack the writers style, and ignore the content of the problem
as evidenced by some of the responses I've seen.
Perhaps if some were on the other side of the equation, they might not
be so dismissive and more forthright in offering support to the very
residents with locked-in pensions, they serve.

... and we all wonder why no one votes any more.


Grant Fleury
Sudbury, Ontario