Charest, Dumont spar over pension fund
Last Updated: Friday, November 28, 2008 | 4:05 PM ET
CBC News
Liberal Leader Jean Charest accused opponent Mario Dumont of being unworthy to represent Quebecers, following the Action Démocratique du Québec leader's comments about the province's pension fund.
Jean Charest demanded Mario Dumont apologize for suggesting seniors' pensions are at risk. (CBC)Dumont was trying to politically exploit seniors when he told a roomful of senior citizens that any recent pension contributions have "disappeared," and their guaranteed income may be in peril, Charest said.
"It's unworthy of someone who is running for office who has a responsibility towards other citizens to exploit those of us in our society who are most vulnerable — older people, people who are, in certain instances, in situations where they are very easily worried about their income," the Liberal leader said while campaigning in Quebec City on Friday for the Dec. 8 provincial election.
Quebecers' pensions are not threatened, and it's false to say they are, Charest said, demanding Dumont withdraw the comments and apologize.
Dumont says seniors are capable of debating subjects such as the security of their pensions. (CBC)However, the ADQ leader said his comments were based on an article in Toronto's Globe and Mail.
"Our work is to educate," Dumont said in French. "What we say to elderly people, is that the Action Démocratique du Québec will work for you. I've felt that seniors are very serene [in the face of the crisis] and capable of debating these subjects."
