Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said Albertans are trying to get some of their money back and encouraged them to stay in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). “The division today on the CPP is entirely the result of Justin Trudeau attacking the Alberta economy,” said Poilievre in a Thursday statement to the National Post. “His unconstitutional anti-development laws and painful carbon taxes have forced Albertans to look for ways to get some of their money back.”These comments mark the first time Poilievre has addressed the issue of Alberta’s proposal to withdraw from the CPP and set up its own pension fund. An Alberta Pension Plan (APP) could save Albertans billions of dollars each year, with lower contribution rates, higher benefits and stronger benefit security for families and retirees, according to a September 21 report conducted by LifeWorks. READ MORE: UPDATED: Report says Alberta provincial pension move could save people billions“This report shows a made-in-Alberta pension plan could put more money in the pockets of hard-working families and business owners and improve retirement security for seniors,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.“We want to hear from you because it’s your pension, your choice.” Poilievre went on to say Canada “would not be having this CPP debate if I were today prime minister because Alberta would be free from carbon taxes, unconstitutional anti-energy laws and other unfair wealth transfers.”Trudeau said on Wednesday he was concerned about Smith’s proposal to withdraw Alberta from the CPP. He instructed his cabinet and officials to do whatever they can to ensure the CPP remains intact, warning Alberta’s exit would cause irreparable harm. He said Canadians should not have to worry whether the CPP will be around for them in their retirement. Smith responded to Poilievre’s comments by saying she appreciates the tone and sentiments of them regarding the policies the Canadian government has imposed on the Albertan and Canadian economies. “As it relates to the Alberta Pension Plan, this is an opportunity Albertans are discussing that has potential to improve the lives of our seniors and workers without risk to the pensions of fellow Canadians,” she said. “After this broad consultation and discussion are complete, Albertans will ultimately decide whether or not to pursue this opportunity further.”The Alberta NDP has been a fierce opponent of the APP. CPP Investments slammed the government’s consultation process as it seeks feedback from Albertans on leaving the CPP. Advocates for creating the APP have argued the province’s young population would end up paying less in CPP contributions from their paycheques and an independent pension fund would see increased retirement benefits paid out to seniors. Smith fired back at Trudeau, implying he had threatened to block Alberta’s withdrawal. “Any attempt to do so will be seen as [an] attack on the constitutional and legal rights of Alberta and met with serious legal and political consequences,” she said. “If Albertans choose to withdraw from CPP, I expect that you will respect their choice.”Mount Royal University political science professor Duane Bratt speculated Trudeau’s comments were meant to force Poilievre to comment on the APP. “It’s not going to help [Trudeau] in Alberta,” said Bratt. “But I think Trudeau did that, in part to call out Poilievre — like what’s Poilievre going to do?”While there has been backlash from various premiers, conservative politicians and premiers have been silent on the issue. Poilievre is popular in Alberta. A poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute found 55% of Albertans have a favourable opinion of him. “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,” he said.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said Albertans are trying to get some of their money back and encouraged them to stay in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). “The division today on the CPP is entirely the result of Justin Trudeau attacking the Alberta economy,” said Poilievre in a Thursday statement to the National Post. “His unconstitutional anti-development laws and painful carbon taxes have forced Albertans to look for ways to get some of their money back.”These comments mark the first time Poilievre has addressed the issue of Alberta’s proposal to withdraw from the CPP and set up its own pension fund. An Alberta Pension Plan (APP) could save Albertans billions of dollars each year, with lower contribution rates, higher benefits and stronger benefit security for families and retirees, according to a September 21 report conducted by LifeWorks. READ MORE: UPDATED: Report says Alberta provincial pension move could save people billions“This report shows a made-in-Alberta pension plan could put more money in the pockets of hard-working families and business owners and improve retirement security for seniors,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.“We want to hear from you because it’s your pension, your choice.” Poilievre went on to say Canada “would not be having this CPP debate if I were today prime minister because Alberta would be free from carbon taxes, unconstitutional anti-energy laws and other unfair wealth transfers.”Trudeau said on Wednesday he was concerned about Smith’s proposal to withdraw Alberta from the CPP. He instructed his cabinet and officials to do whatever they can to ensure the CPP remains intact, warning Alberta’s exit would cause irreparable harm. He said Canadians should not have to worry whether the CPP will be around for them in their retirement. Smith responded to Poilievre’s comments by saying she appreciates the tone and sentiments of them regarding the policies the Canadian government has imposed on the Albertan and Canadian economies. “As it relates to the Alberta Pension Plan, this is an opportunity Albertans are discussing that has potential to improve the lives of our seniors and workers without risk to the pensions of fellow Canadians,” she said. “After this broad consultation and discussion are complete, Albertans will ultimately decide whether or not to pursue this opportunity further.”The Alberta NDP has been a fierce opponent of the APP. CPP Investments slammed the government’s consultation process as it seeks feedback from Albertans on leaving the CPP. Advocates for creating the APP have argued the province’s young population would end up paying less in CPP contributions from their paycheques and an independent pension fund would see increased retirement benefits paid out to seniors. Smith fired back at Trudeau, implying he had threatened to block Alberta’s withdrawal. “Any attempt to do so will be seen as [an] attack on the constitutional and legal rights of Alberta and met with serious legal and political consequences,” she said. “If Albertans choose to withdraw from CPP, I expect that you will respect their choice.”Mount Royal University political science professor Duane Bratt speculated Trudeau’s comments were meant to force Poilievre to comment on the APP. “It’s not going to help [Trudeau] in Alberta,” said Bratt. “But I think Trudeau did that, in part to call out Poilievre — like what’s Poilievre going to do?”While there has been backlash from various premiers, conservative politicians and premiers have been silent on the issue. Poilievre is popular in Alberta. A poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute found 55% of Albertans have a favourable opinion of him. “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,” he said.
