Latest news with #NateHorner
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Majority of Albertans rejected provincial pension in 2023 survey
Nearly two-thirds of respondents to the Alberta government's pension engagement survey did not want to dump the Canada Pension Plan and switch to a plan run by the province. Numbers provided by the government showed 63 per cent of people who responded to the survey were opposed to an Alberta pension, 10 per cent were in favour and 12 per cent were undecided or unsure. The remaining 15 per cent was made up of people whose responses were incomplete, or contained questions or suggestions for "other alternatives." The survey results were released to the Edmonton Journal this week after a 21-month battle. The newspaper reported that it asked the province for the responses on multiple occasions only to be met with refusal or documents full of redactions. The data was finally posted to the government's open data site this week after the privacy and information commissioner became involved. In its response, the government cited two 2025 polls which suggested public opinion was shifting in favour of a provincial pension plan "While recent surveys on an APP show public opinion may be shifting, we will continue to engage with Albertans on this topic through the Alberta Next panel," Marisa Breeze, press secretary to finance minister Nate Horner, wrote. "The Alberta Pension Protection Act guarantees we won't replace the CPP with an Alberta Pension Plan unless Albertans approve it in a referendum." Responses in the document called the idea "reckless" and the survey "a farce." "I do not support this idea. I will move out of Alberta if this happens," one respondent said. "I am Canadian first and fully support the Canada Pension Plan. "Withdrawal from the CPP would be a horrendous miscalculation that will impact our province for generations to come," said another. WATCH | Why Alberta says it's entitled to half of the Canada Pension Plan: One respondent characterized the government's pension ambitions as "political posturing." "Stop playing games with my retirement to spite the rest of the country," another wrote. Supporters of a provincial pension said they wanted Alberta to be independent from Ottawa. "Alberta has paid dearly since Confederation," one respondent wrote. "We deserve independence financially." Edmonton-Decore MLA Sharif Haji, the NDP opposition critic for affordability and utilities, said the results prove that Albertans do not want a provincial pension. He criticized the government for trying to hide the survey answers. "It took close to two years," Haji said. "What it tells me is that they never wanted to share because the result was not the one that they wanted." Haji said an Alberta pension plan is part of Premier Danielle Smith's separation agenda, which includes the push for an Alberta provincial police service. In 2023, the province released a report from an independent third party called Lifeworks, that claimed Alberta would be entitled to 53 per cent or $344 billion of the CPP if it withdrew from the national plan in 2027. But Canada's chief actuary determined late last year that the amount was between 20 and 25 per cent of the $575 billion plan. Smith has said Albertans would have to approve an exit from the CPP via a referendum before her government made any move. An engagement panel led by former provincial treasurer Jim Dinning held town halls on the pension issue in the fall of 2023.
CBC
19 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Majority of Albertans rejected provincial pension in 2023 survey
Nearly two-thirds of respondents to the Alberta government's pension engagement survey did not want to dump the Canada Pension Plan and switch to a plan run by the province. Numbers provided by the government showed 63 per cent of people who responded to the 2023 were opposed to an Alberta pension, 10 per cent were in favour and 12 per cent were undecided or unsure. The remaining 15 per cent was made up of people whose responses were incomplete, or contained questions or suggestions for "other alternatives." The survey results were released to the Edmonton Journal this week after a 21-month battle. The newspaper reported that it asked the province for the responses on multiple occasions only to be met with refusal or documents full of redactions. The data was finally posted to the government's open data site this week after the privacy and information commissioner became involved. In its response, the government cited two 2025 polls which suggested public opinion was shifting in favour of a provincial pension plan. "While recent surveys on an APP show public opinion may be shifting, we will continue to engage with Albertans on this topic through the Alberta Next panel," Marisa Breeze, press secretary to finance minister Nate Horner, wrote. "The Alberta Pension Protection Act guarantees we won't replace the CPP with an Alberta Pension Plan unless Albertans approve it in a referendum." Responses in the document called the idea "reckless" and the survey "a farce." "I do not support this idea. I will move out of Alberta if this happens," one respondent said. "I am Canadian first and fully support the Canada Pension Plan. "Withdrawal from the CPP would be a horrendous miscalculation that will impact our province for generations to come," said another. WATCH | Why Alberta says it's entitled to half of the Canada Pension Plan: Why Alberta says it's entitled to half of Canada's Pension Plan | About That 2 years ago Duration 12:14 The Alberta government wants out of the Canada Pension Plan — and the province wants to take more than half of the pot with it. Andrew Chang breaks down how Alberta arrived at its $334 billion take-home figure — and why some experts say the province needs to double check its math. One respondent characterized the government's pension ambitions as "political posturing." "Stop playing games with my retirement to spite the rest of the country. Supporters of a provincial pension said they wanted Alberta to be independent from Ottawa. "Alberta has paid dearly since Confederation," one respondent wrote. "We deserve independence financially." Edmonton-Decore MLA Sharif Haji, the NDP opposition critic for affordability and utilities, said the results prove that Albertans do not want a provincial pension. He criticized the government for trying to hide the survey answers. "It took close to two years," Haji said. "What it tells me is that they never wanted to share because the result was not the one that they wanted." Haji said an Alberta pension plan is part of Premier Danielle Smith's separation agenda, which includes the push for an Alberta provincial police service. In 2023, the province released a report from an independent third party called Lifeworks, that claimed Alberta would be entitled to 53 per cent or $344 billion of the CPP if it withdrew from the national plan in 2027. But Canada's chief actuary determined late last year that the amount was between 20 and 25 per cent of the $575 billion plan. Smith has said Albertans would have to approve an exit from the CPP via an referendum before her government made any move. An engagement panel led by former provincial treasurer Jim Dinning held town halls on the pension issue in the fall of 2023.
Calgary Herald
21 hours ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Alberta's promised income tax cut is coming in July — here's what you need to know
The Alberta legislature building on May 8, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Albertans can expect to see the province's promised tax cut on their paycheques next month. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The United Conservative Party campaigned on the income tax cut during the spring 2023 election and after two years Albertans will finally see it reflected on their paycheques starting in July. The income tax cut was introduced in Budget 2025 amid a projected $5.2-billion deficit for the fiscal year, but the government defended its decision saying it was coming at a crucial time where many Albertans are struggling with the cost of living. In a statement to Postmedia, Finance Minister Nate Horner said more than two million Albertans will begin to see the effects of the new eight per cent personal income tax bracket for incomes up to $60,0000 directly reflected on their paycheques. He said the province is 'fast-tracking cuts' to personal income taxes and the cut is coming two years earlier than announced in Budget 2024. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'It's not just a tax cut. It's a clear sign that we're standing with Alberta families, helping them manage rising costs and plan for the future. This is how we keep Alberta the most affordable place in Canada to live, work and raise a family,' Horner said. According to the province, the new cut will save Albertans up to $750 per person in 2025. Horner said the benefit would be retroactive to January 2025 and Albertans can expect larger returns come tax season. Albertans earning less than $60,000 will see their personal income taxes fall by 20 per cent, and those earning more will save on the first $60,000 earned, according to the province. It will cost the government $1.2 billion in 2025-2026. Trevor Tombe, the director of Fiscal and Economic Policy at the University of Calgary, said its important to keep in mind that governments cannot solve all issues, but deploy policies to address challenges, such as the income tax cut. 'Whether $750 for an individual — keep in mind there'd be more for families that have multiple earners — is significant or not would depend on an individual circumstance, but it's certainly a meaningful amount. I think many will notice,' Tombe said. Despite the projected budget deficit, Tombe said Alberta can 'absolutely manage' the lost revenue from the income tax cut, saying Alberta's provincial debt relative to the size of its economy is lower than any provincial government by a 'very wide margin.'
Globe and Mail
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Alberta teachers vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action
The union representing Alberta teachers says members have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action and they could hit the picket lines in the next four months. Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling says teachers are sending a message that they are united and will no longer prop up an underfunded public education system. Finance Minister Nate Horner says a mediator's recommendation rejected by teachers included the same 12 per cent pay increase over four years that has already been accepted by other unions. Horner says the recommendation also included more than $400- million in classroom improvements. Schilling says in order to bring Alberta in line with Canadian funding averages per student, the education budget needed to see a 13.5 per cent increase. Nearly 39,000 Alberta teachers voted on the latest deal, and both sides are scheduled to go back to the bargaining table this month.
Hamilton Spectator
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Alberta teachers vote 95 per cent in favour of strike action as talks continue
EDMONTON - The union representing Alberta teachers says members have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action and they could hit the picket lines in the next four months. Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling says teachers are sending a message that they are united and will no longer prop up an underfunded public education system. Finance Minister Nate Horner says a mediator's recommendation rejected by teachers included the same 12 per cent pay increase over four years that has already been accepted by other unions. Horner says the recommendation also included more than $400 million in classroom improvements. Schilling says in order to bring Alberta in line with Canadian funding averages per student, the education budget needed to see a 13.5 per cent increase. Nearly 39,000 Alberta teachers voted on the latest deal, and both sides are scheduled to go back to the bargaining table this month. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
