St. John’s, NL (June 11, 2025) - Lin Paddock, Shadow Minister of Finance and MHA for Baie Verte – Green Bay, is raising concern about the future of the pension for members of the Uniformed Services Pension Plan (USPP).

“The Uniformed Services Pension Plan has over 900 retirees who are former members of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary , the St. John’s Fire Department, and correctional officers. These former front-line staff kept our communities safe for decades,” said Paddock. “We learned in estimates that the pension plan remains dangerously underfunded at only 25 per cent. This means there is a great risk that some of these retirees might not receive their pension.”

Paddock said the objective of the USPP is to ensure a regular monthly income for those who have dedicated their careers to protecting others, but only being a quarter funded means its long-term viability remains in question.

Paddock raised the issue in the House of Assembly. He questioned why, after more than a decade, the Liberal government has yet to implement substantial reform to stabilize and properly fund the USPP.

“The other provincial pension plans were reformed many years ago, yet the Liberals have failed to ensure the future viability of the USPP.  Let’s not forget that these retirees are the people who ran into burning buildings, maintained order on our streets, and worked in our correctional institutions. They deserve more than vague promises and delayed reforms,” concluded Paddock.