Poilievre supports CPP, warning against Alberta's exit proposal while Trudeau vows to protect CPP
Federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre is encouraging Albertans to stay in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
This is amid the debate about the province’s proposal to exit the retirement savings program, as reported by CTV News.
“The division today on the CPP is entirely the result of Justin Trudeau attacking the Alberta economy,” Poilievre said in an emailed statement to CTV News.
“I encourage Albertans to stay in the CPP. As prime minister, I will protect and secure the CPP for Albertans and all Canadians, by treating every province fairly and freeing Alberta to develop its resources to secure our future.”
Last month, the Government of Alberta released a report outlining potential entitlements if the province left the CPP and what an “Alberta Pension Plan” (APP) might look like.
Both the Alberta United Conservative Party (UCP) and New Democratic Party (NDP) are surveying Albertans on their opinions about leaving the CPP.
The NDP says its online town halls have shown residents are decidedly against the idea. “Albertans do not want to give Danielle Smith the right to gamble with their retirement," Opposition Finance Critic Shannon Phillips said. “When you talk to normal people, you hear a lot of anxiety and worry.”
Despite this, the UCP has launched a massive advertising campaign promoting the possibility of the APP.
When asked if the spending was appropriate, Alberta's Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson said it wasn't up to him. “Our government is committed to making sure that the decision will be Alberta's decision,” Sigurdson said.
“I encourage more Albertans to read the report and make themselves more knowledgeable on what it looks like and what the potential is.”
A statement from Smith's office echoed that sentiment, saying the discussion has the potential to improve the lives of seniors and workers without risking the pensions of other Canadians.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the issue in a letter to Premier Danielle Smith, stating that the federal government will fight any move that could threaten the stability of the CPP.
“Withdrawing Albertans from the Canada Pension Plan would expose millions of Canadians to greater volatility and would deny them the certainty and stability that has benefited generations,” Trudeau said.
“I have instructed my cabinet and officials to take all necessary steps to ensure Albertans — and Canadians — are fully aware of the risks of your plan, and to do everything possible to ensure CPP remains intact.”
Smith responded in an open letter on Wednesday, calling the Prime Minister’s comments “disingenuous” and “inappropriate.” She argued that while there would be some effect on the CPP should Albertans decide to withdraw via referendum, the effects would not be as severe as implied.
Smith stated that any attempt to stop the province from exiting the CPP would be seen as an “attack on the constitutional and legal rights of Alberta,” and would be met with “legal and political consequences.”
Rachel Notley, the leader of Alberta’s Opposition, claimed that the premier sees leaving the CPP as an “attack on Justin Trudeau.”
In an emailed statement to CTV News, Notley said, “It’s not. It’s an attack on all Canadians — on your brothers, your sisters, your friends in other parts of the country. Even Pierre Poilievre thinks so and that’s why he’s urged Albertans to reject Danielle Smith’s plan and stay in CPP.”
Corey Hogan, a political analyst, and popular Alberta podcaster, recently submitted a freedom of information request to see provincial feedback on the topic. Hogan found that “correspondents express strong opposition to the idea of a possible Alberta Pension Plan to replace the Canada Pension Plan.”
Of 2,850 letters on the plan, only 20 were supportive.
“It's clear that (the government's) approach to this is not really engaging with Albertans to learn what individual preferences are,” economist Trevor Tombe told CTV News.
“They are spending $7.5m on a marketing campaign to convince us that a pension plan would be beneficial. And that entire campaign is anchored on a single report that takes a pretty optimistic view.”
“Albertans do not have the information they need to make an informed decision.”
