Where appropriate, HOOPP represents the interests of its membership through various advocacy efforts. Through these efforts, HOOPP seeks to:

• better serve Plan members and pensioners (and, when appropriate, other stakeholders)
• play a role in the development of public policy affecting the Plan
• bring to light areas where pension, investment or other reform is needed

During 2007, HOOPP delivered its submission to Ontario’s Expert Commission on Pensions. The mandate of the commission is to look at the viability, security and sustainability of pensions in Ontario, specifically including defined benefit plans.

In its submission, HOOPP focused on three key issues:

1. Portability – The submission asserts that members need the ability to protect the value of their pension when moving from one employer, or pension plan, to another.
   
   
2. Solvency funding rules – The submission argues that the existing solvency funding rules, as they apply to multi-employer pension plans (MEPPs) like HOOPP, are excessive and onerous.
   
   
3. Rules governing MEPPs – The submission points out that existing pension legislation is designed for single-employer pension plans and, as such, does not adequately meet the unique roles and needs of MEPP plan administrators, participating employers and members.