Poilievre steps into Alberta's pension dispute with Ottawa, says province should stay in CPP

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has stepped into the pension debate between Alberta and Ottawa, blaming the dispute on the prime minister and urging Albertans to remain in the Canada Pension Plan. 

"The division today on the CPP is entirely the result of Justin Trudeau attacking the Alberta economy," Poilievre said in a statement. 

"His unconstitutional, anti-development laws and painful carbon taxes have forced Albertans to look for ways to get some of their money back."

Last month, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith released a long-awaited report by consultant LifeWorks claiming that if Alberta pulled out of the CPP, it would be entitled to $334 billion — more than half of the fund's assets.

Smith has long called for Alberta to leave the CPP and told reporters after the release of the LifeWorks report that "an Alberta pension plan would be fairer and could make life more affordable for all Albertans."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded this week with an open letter criticizing that claim, insisting that pulling out of the CPP would only "introduce even more uncertainty and instability."

The prime minister said that in a time of high inflation, climate change and conflict, political leaders should strive for certainty over instability. He vowed to challenge Smith's CPP plans.

"I have instructed my Cabinet and officials to take all necessary steps to ensure Albertans — and Canadians — are fully aware of the risks of your plan, and to do everything possible to ensure CPP remains intact," he said.

"We will not stand by as anyone seeks to weaken pensions and reduce the retirement income of Canadians."

The Conservative leader's statement said that Alberta's premier is only picking a pension fight with Ottawa because the Liberal government has saddled the province with "carbon taxes, unconstitutional anti-energy laws and other unfair wealth transfers."

"I encourage Albertans to stay in the CPP," Poilievre said, adding he will "protect and secure the CPP for Albertans and all Canadians" by being a fair prime minister that lets Alberta "develop its resources to secure our future."

After Trudeau's open letter, Smith responded with her own open letter rejecting Trudeau's description of the impacts Alberta's withdrawal would have on the CPP.

"It is disingenuous and inappropriate for you to stoke fear in the hearts and minds of Canadian retirees on this issue," Smith wrote to Trudeau.

The premier accused Trudeau of imposing more costs on Albertans through the federal carbon tax and warned the prime minister not to attempt to block the province from withdrawing from the CPP.