SAINT JOHN, N.B.-  City Hall has received recommendations on how to deal with Saint John’s ailing pension plan.

The dose of reality came from from the Pension Task Force.

The task force recommended that the city adopt a shared risk pension plan…which would see city worker’s share the risks and benefits of the plan with city hall.

Councillor Shirley McAlary believes a shared risk plan is the only option. “We can’t remain on the plan that we have today”, says McAlary. The shared risk model is better than that so I think that’s the way we should go”.

In order for the city to alter its pension plan it needs the support of all city union leaders.

Paul Stackhouse, the president of the Saint John firefighter’s union believes is possible. “I’m the type of person that always thinks the glass is half full”.

The task force says the city’s actual pension deficit is over $385-million dollars.

Common Council is expected to vote on the future of the city’s pension plan next Monday.

Mayor Mel Norton says this will be a week of reflection for councillors before next week’s vote.