The federal government is poised to transform immigration, pensions and research and development policy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said today.

In a major speech to global movers and shakers at the World Economic Forum, he said the idea is to position Canada as a more competitive force in the global economy and to confront the pressures of an aging population.

"In the months to come, our government will undertake major transformations to position Canada for growth over the next generation," Harper said in an address to the some of the 2,600 forum delegates.

He also reiterated a commitment to streamline environmental approvals for major energy projects.

He vowed to press ahead with developing ways to export energy to Asia.

And he chided wealthy countries for being too complacent about ringing up debt that they can't afford, taking their riches for granted and imperilling the entire global economy.

"I ask whether the creation of economic growth, and therefore jobs, really is the No. 1 policy priority for everyone," he said.

"Or is it the case that in the developed world, too many of us have, in fact, become complacent about our prosperity, taking our wealth as a given, assuming it is somehow the natural order of things?"

Harper said his government has worked to keep financial disorder out of Canada and is stepping up efforts to set the country on the right foot for coming decades.

"We will do more, much more," he said.

"Under our government, Canada will make the transformations necessary to sustain economic growth, job creation and prosperity now and for the next generation."

http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/harper ... 37418.html


Harper considering raising OAS age to 67

The Conservative government is considering raising the age Canadians can receive the Old Age Security benefit from 65 to 67, CTV News has learned.

In the keynote address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised major reforms on retirement pensions, environment approvals and immigration policy.

"In the months to come, our government will undertake major transformations to position Canada for growth over the next generation," Harper said in his speech, referring to the upcoming budget.

Harper didn't mention specific reforms in the speech but said Canada needs to find savings in the Old Age Security benefit, as Canada's aging population is growing more expensive and the current model is unsustainable.



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