EDMONTON - In response to the release of the UCP’s release of a report on the creation of the Alberta Pension Plan (APP), Public Interest Alberta’s Executive Director Bradley Lafortune issued the following statement:
“At a time when Albertans are already struggling with difficult economic conditions, the UCP and Danielle Smith continue to pursue their regressive mandate and stoke separatist sentiment with their completely outrageous plan to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
“This report is exactly what we expected from Smith and the UCP. It’s a complete fantasy designed to lead Albertans to a foregone conclusion. But we won’t fall for it.
“These handpicked consultants themselves describe their calculation as an “alternate interpretation” of asset transfer provisions in the CPP Act. This is completely out of step with reality.
“Claiming that Alberta can withdraw over half of the CPP fund is laughable. This politically-motivated report is classic “decision-based evidence-making,” and it’s not worth the paper it’s written on.
“This is the same government that we’ve watched bungle everything from affordability payments to COVID response. They couldn’t even get off-brand children’s tylenol into the hands of Albertan parents for their sick kids. Given this embarrassing track record, Albertans simply cannot trust Smith with their retirement security.
“The CPP is globally admired. It has served Canadians since it was established in 1966 and continues to provide a safe, secure, and reliable foundation for retirement for all Canadians. We must work together to defend it. Join us to save our CPP from Danielle Smith’s dangerous political games.”
