The Alberta Government has provided an update on the Alberta Pension Plan. The update comes after the province held five telephone town halls throughout the province in November. The panels saw more than 76,000 Albertans participate.  

The Town Halls were led by the Alberta Pension Plan Engagement Panel led by former provincial treasurer, Jim Dinning.  

Dinning says the panel saw their fair share of Albertans who are both opposed and in favour of the plan. 

“There is no doubt that this is a sensitive issue for a lot of a lot of people, but especially those who worry about a vital source of their retirement income. We also heard from a number of Albertans who are entirely in favor of an Alberta Pension Plan. Some of them supporters of the government taking greater control of the province’s destiny; some thinking it is a good way of enhancing our financial sector,” explained Dinning.  

Dinning says the panel has come to the decision that Albertans are in need of more information.  

“From the panel's perspective, uncertainty around the asset transfer is a barrier to moving our engagement discussions forward in a meaningful way. It is hard for Albertans to provide concrete perspectives when many variables concerning an Alberta plan depend upon the size of that asset transfer,” said Dinning.  

Albertans are also concerned about the portability of the plan inside Canada.  

The panel was intending to host a number of in-person town halls in December; however, that has been put off until the panel receives more information about the asset transfer as well as other details. They have have plans to release an online workbook to help Albertans understand the Alberta Pension Plan as well as provide a space for feedback.  

For more information, on the Alberta Pension Plan click here.  

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