FRANCAIS

April 28, 2004

Seven key recommendations of the Teachers’ Pensions Task Force would be addressed by the Teachers’ Pensions Amendment Act, said Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson who introduced the proposals in the legislative assembly today.

“The task force, which included representatives from the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and the provincial government, identified provisions in the act that needed to be clarified,” Bjornson said. “After consultation with the parties, we have updated the act to the benefit of current and retired teachers.”

Proposed amendments to the act would enable teachers to make pension contributions in the future while on adoptive leave and allow current and former teachers to purchase past periods of adoptive leave. Former teachers would also be able to purchase past maternity leave.

Other proposed changes would mean pension contributions for teachers on long-term disability (LTD) would be paid out of the pension fund rather than from LTD funds maintained by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society. Teachers would receive pension credit on short-term leaves of absence with full or partial pay and would receive pension credit for the period of leave.

“These amendments address some long-standing concerns of teachers and school administrators, and we are pleased to address them through these proposed changes,” Bjornson said.

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