moved for leave to introduce Bill C-207, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be tabling my legislation, an act to amend the Canada Pension Plan. I am very grateful to the member for Vancouver Kingsway for seconding my bill.
The bill would strengthen the Canada Pension Plan act and give the millions of Canadians who contribute to and receive benefits from the CPP a say in the future of their CPP. It would protect the CPP from politicians who would gamble with their retirement security.
Canadians need and deserve financial security in retirement, and the Canada Pension Plan is a critical component of that financial security, but the CPP is at risk from Conservatives. Danielle Smith's United Conservatives in Alberta have passed legislation that would authorize the province to withdraw Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan.
While Albertans are very worried about their CPP and losing their access to CPP, the implications of Smith's plan go well beyond Alberta. Alberta's withdrawal from the CPP could harm millions of Canadians outside Alberta who rely on the CPP now and will rely on it into the future. The bill would change the CPP act to require approval of at least two-thirds of the provinces currently participating in the CPP, ensuring that Canadians impacted by the decision would have a say in the future of their pension plan.
New Democrats are committed to protecting retirement benefits for Albertans and for all Canadians, today and into the future. I hope all members will support my bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)