Ottawa

The Conservative government is continuing to play coy over its plans to reform Old Age Security, and Canadians anxious about their retirement will have to cool their heels until the upcoming budget for details.

In Question Period on Thursday, Seniors Minister Alice Wong let slip the measures would be in the budget - expected sometime in March - a fact later confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office.

Earlier, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty had refused to say whether the pension reforms hinted at by Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week in a speech in Davos, Switzerland, would be revealed in the fiscal plan.

"I won't go into specific options," he told reporters on a conference call from Tel Aviv, where he is wrapping up a tour of the Middle East with Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.

Meanwhile, the NDP was quick to exploit doubts about the future of OAS and sparked a fourth day of debate in the House with a motion calling for the government to end poverty among seniors.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest also hammered the feds for keeping their lips zipped on their plans and for leaving the provinces out in the cold on discussions.

"Since when in Canada do you have no dialogue, no debate, no exchange of information," he said following a speech in Ottawa, speculating Harper dropped the pension bombshell before laying the groundwork.

"I can't understand why they're acting this way."

Among the likely reforms will be to boost the age of eligibility for OAS from 65 to 67.

The government has also repeatedly said any changes wouldn't affect current retirees or those nearing retirement.