On Tuesday 30 April Edmonton Strathcona M.P. Heather McPherson introduced Bill C-387 a simple amendment to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Act. The one page bill, introduced as a Private Member’s Bill would change the current requirement for a province to withdraw from the CPP. At present, withdrawal can occur when the Minister of Employment and Social Development, with the approval of the federal cabinet, has entered into an agreement with the government of a province providing a comprehensive pension plan comparable with the CPP Act’s benefits. As Ms. McPherson pointed out during this interview, with the prospect of a majority Conservative government under Pierre Poilievre increasingly probable, other provincial governments would have no say on whether Alberta leaves under the current legislation.
The one page Bill (see below) would require the consent of at least two thirds of the provinces having in total not less than two thirds of the population of all those provinces, before a withdrawal is allowed.
441359_Heather_McPherson_Certified Copy C-387During the interview, which is available here, the NDP Member of Parliament described the concerns of many in her constituency and other Alberta residents worried about the impact of the Alberta government’s push to withdraw from the CPP. She describes the decision-making and consultation process leading to the introduction of the Bill. McPherson is clearly worried, like many Albertans, what might happen if the Smith government got its hands on billions of pensioners and contributors assets.
She also emphasized the importance of working with the Liberal government to generate interest in supporting the Bill. Private Member’s bills rarely do get passed and she cautioned the time in this minority Parliament is running out. In particular she stressed the importance of keeping the legislation simple so the change recommended can be clearly understood and communicated.
The full transcript can be accessed below.
Interview Heather McPherson(2024-05-04 11 04 GMT-6) - Transcript
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