Today, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, sent a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister requesting a meeting of Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) finance ministers to discuss Alberta’s proposed withdrawal from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

In each participating province and territory, Canadian workers pay the same contribution rates and earn the same benefits. This enables Canadians to choose where they want to work and after a lifetime of hard work, where they want to retire.

If a jurisdictional partner chooses to leave the CPP, it must be divided fairly, acknowledging the contributions made by workers in each participating province and territory. To that end, we would also welcome a rigorous analysis of the assumptions that Alberta’s proposal is based on.

While we will always maintain our respect for Alberta, our government firmly supports the CPP. The CPP’s greatest strength is its pan-Canadian approach that provides stability for workers and their families, so Canadians can be sure they have a reliable retirement plan, no matter where they live, work or choose to retire.

An immediate FPT finance ministers’ meeting is critical in helping to facilitate timely discussions on the path forward for this critical issue.

You can read a copy of the letter sent to the Federal government below.