BC consulting on CPP - Other provinces should too

Eight out of ten small business owners support delay for consultation

TORONTO, July 15, 2016 /CNW/ - With British Columbia today launching a public consultation on CPP expansion, and Quebec planning a consultation on QPP in the fall, CFIB is encouraging other provinces to take the opportunity to consult.

Today was the deadline set for provinces to sign onto the agreement in principle reached hastily by finance ministers last month. With BC hitting pause to consult its public, other provinces now have the time needed to conduct their own consultations and analysis of the deal.

"This consultation really comes at the 11^th hour, but it's never too late to do the right thing," said CFIB executive vice president Laura Jones. "And because the results of this consultation won't come for at least a month, it gives other provinces that might have been rushed into a deal the chance to step back, hear from the public and study the potential economic impact."

Canadians need all the facts on CPP
When asked, eighty-three per cent of small business owners said that it was irresponsible to proceed with CPP expansion without proper consultation and analysis. Another 75 per cent agreed that there are better ways to help Canadians save for their retirement than to expand the CPP.

"Most Canadians still don't understand what is being proposed and what it will mean to them," said Corinne Pohlmann, CFIB's senior vice-president of national affairs. "Unfortunately, some of our leaders have been trying to push ahead anyway. Small business owners understand government wanting to help Canadians in their retirement, but if there are better ways to do that, we need to look at all the options, not just CPP."

CFIB is Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses with 109,000 members across every sector and region.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business

To arrange an interview with Laura Jones or Corinne Pohlmann, please contact Ryan Mallough at 647-464-2814 or [email protected].