Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault said Albertans can pull out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) if they go to a referendum, “but it’s a one-way ticket.”“You don’t get to come back,” said Boissonnault in a Sunday interview on CTV Question Period. “That’s also very clear in this legislation.”.The video starts off with CTV Question Period host Vassy Kapelos asking if the Canadian government will provide an analysis on the APP (Alberta Pension Plan). “I know you’re talking about your opposition to this, but logistically, what does that manifest in?” said Kapelos. “How are you planning to oppose this?” If Albertans vote in a referendum and provide the Canadian government with the years of notice required, Kapelos asked what it can do to stop the APP. Boissonnault responded by saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has instructed his cabinet ministers to support Albertans who want to stay in the CPP and defend it. Trudeau said on Wednesday he is concerned about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed plan to withdraw from the CPP. He has instructed his cabinet and officials to do whatever they can to ensure the CPP remains intact, warning an Alberta exit would cause serious harm.Since Smith is looking into it, he said Canadians should not have to worry whether the CPP will be there for them in their retirement.Boissonnault acknowledged the Canadian government will obtain numbers from Finance Canada and other government departments in time. Should this get to a referendum, he said he will listen to his constituents by defending their interests in the CPP. While the Alberta government is looking at the APP, he said there are more important issues such as the cost of living. He called it “a bit of an attack on the middle class.” People want to go to work, pay their pension, and know it is going to be there for them. Now they have questions on what the Canadian government will do to defend it. Kapelos said what are the particulars for defending it. From her understanding of the act she read, she said it has to negotiate if Alberta agrees to it. She asked if it would not negotiate. He said the legislation is clear. Boissonnault confirmed a provincial government has to give notice, needs to leave the CPP in three years, and there are some dates and times in between. “I hope it doesn’t get to a referendum, but if it does, I’ll be fighting on the side of Albertans staying in the CPP,” he said. An 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 Smith. “We want to hear from you because it’s your pension, your choice.”
Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault said Albertans can pull out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) if they go to a referendum, “but it’s a one-way ticket.”“You don’t get to come back,” said Boissonnault in a Sunday interview on CTV Question Period. “That’s also very clear in this legislation.”.The video starts off with CTV Question Period host Vassy Kapelos asking if the Canadian government will provide an analysis on the APP (Alberta Pension Plan). “I know you’re talking about your opposition to this, but logistically, what does that manifest in?” said Kapelos. “How are you planning to oppose this?” If Albertans vote in a referendum and provide the Canadian government with the years of notice required, Kapelos asked what it can do to stop the APP. Boissonnault responded by saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has instructed his cabinet ministers to support Albertans who want to stay in the CPP and defend it. Trudeau said on Wednesday he is concerned about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed plan to withdraw from the CPP. He has instructed his cabinet and officials to do whatever they can to ensure the CPP remains intact, warning an Alberta exit would cause serious harm.Since Smith is looking into it, he said Canadians should not have to worry whether the CPP will be there for them in their retirement.Boissonnault acknowledged the Canadian government will obtain numbers from Finance Canada and other government departments in time. Should this get to a referendum, he said he will listen to his constituents by defending their interests in the CPP. While the Alberta government is looking at the APP, he said there are more important issues such as the cost of living. He called it “a bit of an attack on the middle class.” People want to go to work, pay their pension, and know it is going to be there for them. Now they have questions on what the Canadian government will do to defend it. Kapelos said what are the particulars for defending it. From her understanding of the act she read, she said it has to negotiate if Alberta agrees to it. She asked if it would not negotiate. He said the legislation is clear. Boissonnault confirmed a provincial government has to give notice, needs to leave the CPP in three years, and there are some dates and times in between. “I hope it doesn’t get to a referendum, but if it does, I’ll be fighting on the side of Albertans staying in the CPP,” he said. An 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 Smith. “We want to hear from you because it’s your pension, your choice.”
