The Alberta government received a response from Canada's chief actuary regarding its plan to leave the Canada Pension Plan but is still awaiting a specific financial estimate. Premier Danielle Smith's government wants to gauge public support for a referendum on exiting the plan, but needs a firm number before proceeding.
EDMONTON — The Alberta government says it has received a response from Canada’s chief actuary regarding its proposal to exit the Canada Pension Plan , but there is no estimate on how much the province should be entitled to. The province has been waiting for months for this review and a specific figure.
'We received their interpretation of the legislation, but it did not contain a number or even a formula for calculating a number,' Justin Brattinga, press secretary to Finance Minister Nate Horner, said in an email Thursday. 'We are still analyzing the report and will have more to say at a later date. We would not consider moving forward with a referendum on the issue until after we have a firm number to provide Albertans.' It is unclear whether a definitive estimate is expected or forthcoming from the federal government. The federal finance ministry and the office of the chief actuary did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This pension plan issue gained momentum after Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government won the 2023 provincial election. Her government estimates Albertans deserve $334 billion — more than half the national retirement plan, while the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has placed the figure closer to $100 billion. Smith has stated she wants to see the federal estimate before putting it to a vote among Albertans to gauge their interest in a referendum. The premier told The Canadian Press in an interview earlier this month that obtaining a concrete number 'does matter.' 'If it is an amount that doesn't allow for us to significantly reduce premiums or give a rebate to existing pensioners, then Albertans might decide it isn't worth it,' Smith said. 'If it allows for us to do both — increase the amount that pensioners can get as well as reduce contributions significantly — they might decide otherwise.' Smith has argued that Albertans are receiving an unfair deal under the national plan by contributing far more than they receive
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