MLA for Lethbridge-West Shannon Phillips at Casa on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Joel Mendelson

Phillips condemns Premier Smith’s CPP exit campaign

Sep 27, 2023 | 4:24 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta NDP MLA for Lethbridge-West has issued a demand for Premier Danielle Smith.

On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, Shannon Phillips, who also serves as the Finance Critic for Pensions and Insurance, held a press conference challenging Smith to reveal the costs of her campaign to leave the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP).

On September 21, the province said a report by LifeWorks suggested that leaving the CPP in favour of a new Alberta Pension Plan (APP) could save Albertans billions of dollars.

READ MORE: Province claims leaving Canada Pension Plan could save Albertans billions

Phillips said, “She is actually using our money, Albertans’ money, to campaign, to run ads to promote this bad public policy. This isn’t a real debate on the merits of an Alberta Pension Plan, this is Danielle Smith using your money to convince you to hand over control of your retirement savings to her.”

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She continued, “This is money that could be invested in better health care, in better supports for those struggling to make ends, in new community infrastructure. But instead Smith wants to use that money for her incompetent, potentially harmful pet projects.”

In response to the report the UCP released, Phillips responded, “This report uses fantastical figures to sell a bogus idea that her Alberta Pension Plan would deliver magical benefits. On top of that report, we have a phony survey designed to manipulate public opinion rather than actually capture Albertans views.”

READ MORE: Alberta NDP launches pension plan survey

Phillips said, “We know Albertans do not support leaving the CPP. We know that three-quarters of Albertans, time after time, in every poll, support staying in the CPP.”

She added, “Albertans support the CPP because it’s portable, it’s secure, it’s predictable, it’s well managed, it’s well invested. It is designed to be insulated against risk for the long term.”

READ MORE: Alberta pension report is premier’s attempt to “steal your pension” – NDP

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