UCP and NDP debate Canada Pension Plan

Alberta NDP Finance Critic, Shannon Phillips, wants Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP to come clean about their plan for potentially pulling our province out of the Canada Pension Plan.

A recent poll from Leger says only 21 per cent of Albertans are in favour of replacing the CPP with an Alberta version.

Phillips says she is hoping for transparency from Smith and the province moving forward.

“The Premier should just come out right now and say yes or no. It’s time to end the speculation. That is also bad for the CPP and their ability to plan and make investment decisions for the half a trillion dollars of assets they have under management around the world. Staying in the CPP, we can contribute to the strength and stability of all of the province’s pension system. This isn’t Ottawa’s pension system. The CPP is a creature of the provinces.”

Bridge City News reached out to the office of Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner for comment on the story and received a statement.

“The Premier has been very clear. No one is taking away Albertans’ pensions. We are waiting for the final report from Lifeworks, formerly known as Morneau Shepell. Once that report is final and our government has an opportunity to review it, we will release it to the public. If Albertans make it clear they would like to have a referendum on establishing an Alberta Pension Plan, we will do so.”