Alberta's Smith says she doesn't see 'an appetite' for provincial pension plan
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Premier Danielle Smith says she won't be putting the creation of a provincial pension plan to a referendum any time soon.
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Smith says she doesn't think Albertans have 'an appetite' to pull out of the national pension program, and says the issue is further clouded by lack of detail on how much the province would get if it left.
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In December, Canada's chief actuary published a report saying Alberta's perceived stake of the Canadian Pension Plan's overall assets was substantially overestimated.
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A government-commissioned report in 2023 estimated Alberta would be owed over 50 per cent of the national plan's assets, but the chief actuary pegged Alberta's share at a maximum of 25 per cent.
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After her government received the report, Smith said she was disappointed that a clear answer on Alberta's share wasn't provided and that she planned to follow up with the actuary.
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This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is pictured during a news conference about the Alberta pension plan on Sept. 20, 2024. Photo by Darren Makowichuk / Postmedia Your pension isn't just a line on your pay stub. It's the reward for a lifetime of hard work. The promise that when your working years are over, you'll be able to retire with dignity and security. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors That's why Albertans are rightfully alarmed by Premier Danielle Smith's push to pull the province out of the Canada Pension Plan and gamble our retirement savings on a risky, untested Alberta pension plan. This isn't just a policy debate. It's personal. And the premier knows Albertans don't want this. When her government surveyed Albertans about leaving the CPP, 63 per cent said they wanted to stay. Just 10 per cent supported leaving. The UCP buried those results for nearly two years, only releasing them after Alberta's Information and Privacy Commissioner intervened. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This is a classic case of manufacturing consent: Using selective data, public money, and a rigged consultation process to build support for an unpopular idea. Rather than listen to Albertans, the government has tried to shape public opinion to fit its agenda. At a May town hall hosted by the Alberta Prosperity Project, a separatist group, Smith was asked why she hadn't called a referendum. She admitted she thought the idea was a 'no-brainer' and expected young people to rally behind it. Instead, she admitted she had 'misjudged where Albertans were at.' Then she offered this telling line: 'At the moment, I just feel like if we were to put it to the people, it would be voted down … and I think they'd vote it down because they don't have full information at the moment.' She knows Albertans would reject her plan. Rather than accept that, she blames them for not understanding. 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Letters must carry a first and last name, or two initials and a last name, and include an address and daytime telephone number. All letters are subject to editing. We don't publish letters addressed to others or sent to other publications. Email:letters@ Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today:The Edmonton Journal |The Edmonton Sun.
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