Alberta’s premier is coming for Canada’s pension fund

In today’s Big Story Podcast, the Canada Pension Plan is a world-renowned fund that controls hundreds of billions of dollars earmarked for our retirements. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, unhappy that Alberta contributes more to the fund than its citizens receive, has plans to leave the fund and start the Alberta Pension Plan — while taking more than half the CPP’s money on the way out the door.

Graham Thomson, a political columnist and commentator, is on today’s episode.

“There’s a lot of money in the fund […] right? $575 billion. Provinces would love to get their hands on that, even though it’s not their money, it’s workers’ money,” said Thomson.

Can Premier Danielle Smith actually do this? How much money would Alberta get? Why would the province want to go it alone as opposed to staying in one of the world’s best plans? And what happens to the CPP if Alberta leaves, even is most of the money stays?

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You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.