PEI supports improving CPP Benefits: Will New Brunswick follow suit?

Moncton – The New Brunswick Federation of Labour (NBFL) is calling on New Brunswick Finance Minister Blaine Higgs, to follow PEI’s lead on the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP).

“Yesterday, PEI Finance Minister Wes Sheridan announced his support of labour’s campaign to improve CPP benefits,” said NBFL President, Michel Boudreau.

The NBFL recently met with Minister Higgs to discuss doubling CPP benefits over a seven year period. 

“We are asking Minister Higgs to support the position of his PEI colleague at the next Finance Ministers’ meeting,” said Boudreau.

“An increase in the CPP benefits and to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) would lift thousands of New Brunswickers, mostly seniors and women, out of poverty.  Many New Brunswickers don’t have a workplace pension plan and don’t earn enough to buy RRSP’s. CPP and GIS benefits make up a large part of their income when they retire.”

The New Brunswick government announced this week a Task Force on Protecting Pension Plans so that the employees have access to their pension when they retire. 

“We believe the government should go a step further and support an increase in the CPP benefits so that every worker could count on a decent, secure income in retirement,” concludes Boudreau.

A recent Environics Research Group survey indicates that more than three quarters of Atlantic Canada support increasing Canada Pension Plan benefits.