The Alberta government says it received a response from Canada’s chief actuary regarding its attempt to leave the Canada Pension Planbut there is no estimate of how much the province should receive.
The province has been waiting months for a review and a figure.
“We received their interpretation of the legislation, but it did not contain a number or even a formula to calculate a number,” Justin Brattinga, press secretary for Finance Minister Nate Horner, said in an email Thursday.
“We are still analyzing the report and will have more to say later. We will not consider holding a referendum on the issue until we have a firm number to provide to Albertans.
Receive national news daily
Get the day’s top news, politics, business and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day.
It was unclear whether a firm estimate was expected or forthcoming from the federal government.
The federal Department of Finance and the Office of the Chief Actuary did not immediately respond to questions.
The pension issue gained momentum after Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government won the 2023 provincial election.
His government estimates Albertans deserve $334 billion, more than half of the national pension plan, while the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board puts it closer to $100 billion.
Smith said she wants to see what the federal estimate is and then take it to Albertans to see if there is an appetite for a referendum.
The prime minister told the Canadian Press in an interview earlier this month that getting a firm number “is important.”
“If it’s an amount that doesn’t allow us to significantly reduce premiums or provide a rebate to existing retirees, then Albertans might decide it’s not worth it,” Smith said .
“If it allows us to do both – increase the amount retirees can receive and significantly reduce contributions – they might decide otherwise. »
Smith argued Albertans are being penalized under the national plan by investing far more than they receive.
Last year, his government launched public consultations on the suspension of the CPP, despite demanding that they revolve around an agreed amount.
© 2024 The Canadian Press