Trudeau blasts Smith for pension-exit plan while Smith questions CPP board's honesty

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau entered the Alberta pension-exit debate Wednesday, telling Premier Danielle Smith in a letter that the federal government will fight any threat to the stability of the Canada Pension Plan.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau entered the Alberta pension-exit debate Wednesday, telling Premier Danielle Smith in a letter that the federal government will fight any threat to the stability of the Canada Pension Plan.

Smith fired back within hours, calling Trudeau's letter “overwrought” while questioning the honesty of the board that oversees the Canada Pension Plan.

"Withdrawing Albertans from the Canada Pension Plan would expose millions of Canadians to greater volatility and would deny them the certainty and stability that has benefited generations,” Trudeau said in the letter.

"I have instructed my cabinet and officials to take all necessary steps to ensure Albertans — and Canadians — are fully aware of the risks of your plan, and to do everything possible to ensure CPP remains intact. 

"We will not stand by as anyone seeks to weaken pensions and reduce the retirement income of Canadians."

Trudeau also took Smith to task for starting the debate in the first place.

"External forces and events — from geopolitical unrest to climate change, and more — are having a direct impact on people here at home,” he wrote.