91 per cent of AB small business owners support delay to ensure proper consultation
CALGARY – In advance of the Council of the Federation (COF) meetings later this week, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is asking the premiers to listen to small business and do proper consultation on any expansion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
With British Columbia announcing it is launching a public consultation on CPP expansion, and Quebec planning a consultation on QPP in the fall, CFIB is strongly encouraging Premier Notley to take the opportunity to do the right thing.
Last Friday was the deadline set for provinces to sign onto the agreement in principle reached hastily by finance ministers in June. With BC’s announcement late last week, other provinces now have the time to conduct consultations and economic impact analysis.
“Even though this consultation is coming at the 11th hour, it’s never too late to act sensibly,” said Richard Truscott, Vice-President, Alberta and BC. “British Columbia and Quebec are acting prudently by consulting, so we are encouraging Alberta to do the same.
“Premier Notley says she wants to follow an evidence-based and consultative approach to public policy. If that’s true, then she needs to ensure her government truly understands the potential economic impact and consult with employers,” stated Truscott.
Canadians need all the facts on CPP. In a recent survey conducted by the CFIB, 93 per cent of Alberta’s small business owners said that it was irresponsible to proceed with CPP expansion without proper consultation and analysis. Another 85 per cent agreed that there are better ways to help Canadians save for their retirement than to expand the CPP.
“Most Albertans don’t understand what is being proposed and what it will mean to them,” said Truscott. “Unfortunately, some provincial governments like Alberta have been trying to push ahead anyway. Small business owners understand government wanting to help Canadians in their retirement, but if there are better ways to do that, we need to look at all the options, not just CPP.”
CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses with 109,000 members across every sector and region, including 10,000 in Alberta