Alberta proposes law on pension exit referendum, but bill doesn’t make result binding
Global News
Alberta has introduced legislation promising residents will get a say in a referendum on leaving the Canada Pension Plan, but it doesn't force the government to accept the result.
The Alberta government has introduced legislation promising residents will get a say in a referendum on leaving the Canada Pension Plan, but the bill does not force the government to accept the result.
The proposed Alberta Pension Protection Act mandates that a referendum be held before the province quits the CPP.
However, the question of whether the referendum result will be binding on the government will be decided once it decides to move ahead with the plebiscite.
Finance Minister Nate Horner said it would be premature to enshrine in law a binding referendum commitment.
Horner said the goal is to provide a process for a referendum while not tying the hands of future governments.
“My intent today is to provide assurance to Albertans that a referendum will be required,” Horner told reporters Thursday at the legislature before introducing the bill in the house.
“(Regarding) any specific decisions about a referendum, (it) would be far too early to presuppose any of that.
“Whether it was our government or a future government, that (decision) would have to be made at that time.”
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