http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/11/112604p...4pensionWin.htm

In a nutshell, in 2000, Canadian gays and lesbians were granted equality with reagards to Pensions and survivor benefits. At the time, the Government backdated it only to 1998, which was the date that the Supreme Court had granted the equality.

The lawsuit, decided today in the Supreme Court of Ontario, was that it should have been backdated to April 1985, which was the date that equality for the GLBT population was enshrined in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

I know of 3 friends who this will help. All were in long term relationships, and have lost their partners to death. All are also in their 60's (one might even be 70 now) Since losing their partners, all have lived a fairly hand to mouth existance. This will enable them to get survivor benefits from the Canada Pension Plan, as well as private pension plans, and will enable them to live with some dignity.

Once again, I am so f**kING PROUD to be a Canadian. And that is said with no slight intended to anyone, anywhere, of any political, religious, or national orientation. It is purely national pride on my part.

This story dominated the front page of the Toronto Star today.

My first-ever job was working as a junior clerk in the head office of the Canada Pension Plan in Ottawa back in the mid-70's (I know I'm dating myself with that comment wink ) I can remember at the time that even heterosexual males were discriminated against in terms of qualifying for survivors' benefits. A man whose wife had died had to prove he was disabled before he would receive any pension based on his deceased wife's CPP contributions, whereas any woman, disabled or not, could get a pension upon the death of her husband. How times have changed...for the better!