‘The division today on the CPP is entirely the result of Justin Trudeau attacking the Alberta economy,’ Poilievre told the National Post in a statement
In his first public comments on Alberta’s proposal to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says that Albertans are seeking to “get some of their money back,” and says “I encourage Albertans to stay in the CPP.”
The statement, sent exclusively to the National Post, marks the first time Poilievre has explicitly addressed the issue of Alberta’s proposal to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and set up its own pension fund.
“We would not be having this CPP debate if I were today prime minister because Alberta would be free from carbon taxes, unconstitutional anti-energy laws, and other unfair wealth transfers.”
Poilievre’s statement comes one day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a fiery open letter to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith saying that his government would defend the CPP against Alberta’s withdrawal.
In an emailed statement to National Post Friday morning, Smith said “I appreciate the tone and sentiment” of Poilievre’s statement “regarding the multiple destructive policies the Liberal-NDP coalition have imposed on the Albertan and Canadian economies.”
“As it relates to the Alberta Pension Plan; this is an opportunity Albertans are discussing that has potential to improve the lives of our seniors and workers without risk to the pensions of fellow Canadians,” Smith said. “After this broad consultation and discussion are complete, Albertans will ultimately decide whether or not to pursue this opportunity further.”
That figure, which has been hotly debated by economists and politicians, is based on what LifeWorks deemed to be “equal to Albertans’ contributions less benefit payments and expenses accumulated with net investment earnings.”
The Alberta New Democrats have been fierce opponents of such a proposal and the Alberta Federation of Labour, a major grouping of unions, vowed on Thursday to fight against the proposal. Additionally, CPP Investments, the board that manages the CPP, has slammed the Alberta government’s consultation process as it seeks feedback from Albertans on leaving the CPP.
Advocates for creating an Alberta pension plan have argued that the province’s young population, relative to the rest of the country, would end up paying less in CPP contributions from their paycheques, and an independent pension fund would see increased retirement benefits paid out to seniors.
“Alberta’s withdrawal would weaken the pensions of millions of seniors and hardworking people in Alberta and right across the country. The harm it would cause is undeniable,” Trudeau wrote. “We will not stand by as anyone seeks to weaken pensions and reduce the retirement income of Canadians.”
Smith shot back with her own open letter, raising concerns that Trudeau had threatened to block Alberta’s withdrawal.
“Any attempt to do so will be seen as (an) attack on the constitutional and legal rights of Alberta and met with serious legal and political consequences,” Smith’s letter states. “If Albertans choose to withdraw from CPP, I expect that you will respect their choice.”
Duane Bratt, a political scientist at Calgary’s Mount Royal University speculated that Trudeau’s open letter was meant to force Poilievre’s camp to say something about his views.
“It’s not going to help (Trudeau) in Alberta,” said Bratt. “But I think Trudeau did that, in part to call out Poilievre — like what’s Poilievre going to do? Because Scott Moe hasn’t said anything. Doug Ford hasn’t said anything.”
Poilievre and his Conservative party are highly popular in Alberta. Just four members of Parliament representing Alberta are Liberal or NDP MPs. Recent polling from the Angus Reid Institute shows that 55 per cent of Albertans have a favourable view of Poilievre.
“As prime minister, I will protect and secure the CPP for Albertans and all Canadians, by treating every province fairly and freeing Alberta to develop its resources to secure our future,” said Poilievre.
Smith’s statement concludes with a similar sentiment, saying the UCP government “very much (looks) forward to working with Pierre Poilievre … to restore respect for the constitutional rights of provinces to the economic benefit of all Canadians.”
Said Bratt: “It matters in the rest of the country. If you’re going to be prime minister of Canada, how can you not support the Canada Pension Plan?
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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