March 22, 2011
Presenting the Budget in Parliament today, Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty promised amendments to eliminate the mandatory retirement age in federally regulated areas, such as banking, telecommunications, railways, and airlines, “unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement” for an age limit on a workforce.
Canadians employed in such federally regulated sectors as banking, transportation and telecommunications will be able to stay in the workforce longer regardless of collective agreements that stipulate a forced retirement age.
Only one exception to the mandatory retirement age will be maintained: a security and safety exemption that ensures commercial pilots, for example, can't fly into their 90s, a federal financial official said.
OTTAWA — Freedom 75? 80?
The federal government is ready to do away with mandatory retirement at age 65 in federally regulated industries.
The budget says the government will bring in legislation to change the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canada Labour Code to prohibit mandatory retirement unless there's a real occupational requirement.
"This would allow Canadians to choose how long they wish to remain active in the labour force," the budget documents say.
A private member's bill which would do much the same thing has been slowly making its way through the legislative process.
Court decisions have upheld retirement laws in some industries, citing operational needs.
The budget papers say people are living longer, more active lives than ever.
"Those who wish to remain active in the labour force should be able to do so for as long as they desire, enriching the workplace with their accumulated knowledge and experience."
Courtesy: The Canadian Press
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