Many people in Alberta are worried. The Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, wants the province to leave the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and start its own plan, called the Alberta Pension Plan (APP). But this plan is not tested, and people fear it could risk their retirement money.
The Canada Pension Plan is a trusted system. It supports millions of Canadians during retirement. For many Albertans, leaving the CPP feels like gambling with their future.
What Do Albertans Think?
A survey done by the government showed that:
- 63% of Albertans want to stay with the CPP.
- Only 10% supported leaving.
- The results were hidden for almost two years until a privacy commissioner forced the government to share them.
This upset many people. They felt the government was trying to hide the truth.
What the Numbers Say
| Details | Facts |
|---|---|
| People who want to stay in CPP | 63% |
| People who support leaving CPP | 10% |
| Claimed amount Alberta could take | $334 Billion (debunked) |
| Actual amount by actuary estimates | $135 Billion |
| Independent economist’s view | 20–25% share of CPP |
| Premier’s public claim | Misjudged support for APP |
| Current CPP trust level | One of the world’s most trusted plans |
Premier Smith’s Plan: What’s the Issue?
Smith’s team spent millions of taxpayer dollars on ads and surveys to make people believe that an Alberta-only plan would be better. But many say this is not true. Here’s why:
- Ads were one-sided
- Town halls were phone-in only
- The survey didn’t even ask directly if people wanted to leave CPP
Even worse, people had to watch a video before taking the survey. The video claimed Alberta would “pay less and get more” with its own plan — but that’s misleading. It’s not Alberta as a province paying into CPP — it’s the workers and employers.
The $334 Billion Myth
One of the main reasons the Alberta government gave for leaving CPP was the claim that the province could take $334 billion of CPP money.
But experts disagreed:
- Canada’s chief actuary said the number is much lower
- Economists say it’s around $135 billion
- Even Trevor Tombe, an economist chosen by Smith, said the number was wrong
This shows that the government may have used incorrect data to push its plan.
Why This Matters to You
If Alberta leaves the CPP:
- It can’t go back — there’s no do-over
- There will be legal issues
- It could cost millions of taxpayer dollars
- Retirees may lose their stable income
This is about your future money — money you’ve worked hard for.
What’s the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)?
The CPP is a national pension plan. It is:
- Managed independently
- Portable (works across provinces)
- Trusted and stable
People trust it because it has worked well for decades.
Should Alberta Create Its Own Pension Plan?
The Alberta government says yes, but most people say no. The APP is:
- Not tested
- Politically controlled
- Not supported by experts
- Not wanted by the public
It seems like a plan created for political reasons, not for the people.
Keep CPP, Protect the Future
Albertans are standing up because they know their retirement savings are important. The idea of leaving the CPP is risky, costly, and not supported by facts. A new pension plan could cause problems that can’t be fixed.
Most people want to keep the current system because it’s safe, tested, and trusted. This is not about politics — it’s about protecting the hard-earned money of workers.
FAQs
What is the difference between CPP and APP?
CPP is a national pension plan run by Canada. APP would be a new, untested pension plan run by the Alberta government.
Why are Albertans against the APP?
Most Albertans believe the APP is risky and that the government used misleading information to promote it. They trust the CPP more.
Can Alberta rejoin CPP if it leaves?
No, once Alberta leaves the CPP, it can’t easily rejoin. It would take many years and legal battles to try to return.