The proposition of a new provincial pension plan in Alberta has stirred a gamut of responses. The government aims to explore the Albertans’ sentiments towards this change if the province decides to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
As part of this exploration, the government has unveiled a survey on its website. The questionnaire aims to gage public sentiment towards retirement pension benefits, disability pension benefits, and survivor pension benefits. Moreover, it seeks input on the utilization of savings if Alberta decides to break ties with the national plan.
However, this move has sparked a backlash from opposition NDP who launched their survey asking a direct question: “Should Alberta leave the Canada Pension Plan?” Thus, reflecting their stance, NDP finance critic, Shannon Phillips accuses Danielle Smith of using public funds for her political gambles.
Amidst this growing controversy, the responses from the government’s survey is pegged as unreliable by the opposition, as it avoids asking Albertans their opinions about leaving the CPP. However, Finance Minister Nate Horner lashed back at NDP’s survey, criticizing it for not providing any context and thus, hindering the decision-making process of Albertans regarding the proposed Alberta Pension Plan (APP).
A third-party report by LifeWorks claims the entitlement of Alberta to over half of the CPP fund, approximated at $334 billion. An estimate, however, challenged by some economists and political observers, who peg the number to be around 20 to 25 percent, adding fuel to the ongoing debate.
The citizens’ vacuum of knowledge is further aggravated by the lack of methodological rigor in surveys. Marc Henry, Think HQ Public Affairs president, points out the redundancy of these surveys, regardless of whether they are from the government or the NDP, in providing realistic data on Albertans’ perception of an APP.
Interestingly, if Alberta chooses to break away from the CPP, it is legally required to submit a three-year notice for its withdrawal. Currently, this deadline stands at May 2027, coinciding with the next provincial election.
A referendum in 2025 has been promised before any final decision on implementing an APP. The NDP, however, has expressed its intention to terminate the APP, even if it gains Albertan support–enveloping the provincial pension plan saga in uncertainty.
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