The Legault government’s proposal to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62 has garnered strong support from Quebec hardware and building materials retailers.
“People don’t know, but older workers are worth their weight in gold to us. They know their stuff, are reliable and you don’t always have to back down. When they tell you the job is done, it’s done; and otherwise well done. »
Maxime Bossinotte, owner of the TimberMart-affiliated Matériaux Direct renovation center in La Pocatière, can’t imagine doing without these workers over 60 who are often shunned by employers.
He also believes the government should do everything it can to encourage these people to remain in the labor market by removing any obstacles – especially taxes – that might curb their desire to keep working.
“Typically, these workers want to stay active while spending more time on activities they are passionate about, like hunting or snowmobiling. By adapting, by learning to connect with their desire to work only two days a week, for example, or only certain times of the year, there can be perfect marriages. »
The businessman from La Pocatière in Bas-Saint-Laurent agrees with that of AQMAT, the Quebec Hardware and Building Materials Association.
Against a current
Eric Girard
Minister of Finance
Contrary to the position of unions and some employers’ associations in recent weeks, home improvement stores in general welcome Treasury Secretary Eric Girard’s proposal to change the rules of the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP).
The latter does not plan to change the statutory retirement age, which is currently set at 65. However, the CAQ has opened the door for a review of progressive access to old-age pensions, say at age 62, to encourage people to work longer.
“This revision comes at a time of increasing decline in the labor force. At a time of this labor shortage, we cannot afford to be left behind,” said CEO Richard Darveau.
90% suffer
AQMAT’s position is based on the results of a recent survey of its members. In addition, 90% of them say they are suffering from the decline in the labor force, 44% support the idea of raising the retirement age (to 62 or even 65) and 97.4% believe that tax checks are needed to keep people over 60 to stay in the labor force.
On this last point, the federation recommends that Quebec exempt employers and workers from any contribution to the QPP once a worker over 60 chooses to remain in the labor market.
For his part, Mr. Bossinotte believes that Quebec should abolish their deductions for at least the first 16 hours (two days) of work per week. In his opinion, the additional income generated in this way would flow back into society through higher consumer spending.
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