New Poll: Canadian workers say CPP/QPP hikes are not the answer

Proposals on the table at finance ministers' meeting not supported by the public

TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - As federal and provincial finance ministers prepare to discuss proposals for increasing mandatory CPP and QPP premiums this weekend, new public opinion data reveal that a vast majority of working Canadians prefer other options to help boost retirement savings. Results of a new public opinion poll conducted for CFIB by Angus Reid Global show that only 18 per cent of working Canadians see CPP/QPP increases as one of the best ways for government to help Canadians save for retirement, well behind other choices like tax cuts (54 per cent), incentives (47 per cent) and improved voluntary options to save (35 per cent).

"Finance ministers should be asking IF mandatory CPP/QPP hikes are a good idea, not just WHEN is the right time to introduce them," said CFIB president Dan Kelly. "Although governments have been talking about this for years, no one has ever stopped to ask Canadians if they support the idea."

Governments in Ontario, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba have come out in favour of increasing CPP/QPP, while Saskatchewan and other western provinces have expressed reservations about mandatory increases. Yet in the public poll, support for mandatory increases was low in every region of the country.

"Canadians and their employers are not saving more for retirement because they simply can't afford to," said Laura Jones, CFIB executive vice-president. "In the public poll, and a similar survey of CFIB members, 65 per cent of Canadians, and 61 per cent of small business owners, said so."

The public poll shows that if working Canadians are forced to pay more for CPP/QPP, 45 per cent  would have a reduced ability to spend on essentials like food, rent and mortgage payments and 42 per cent would have a reduced ability to take advantage of other forms of savings. A survey of CFIB member businesses was also conducted, with similar questions. In that survey, close to three-quarters of business owners said they would be under pressure to freeze or cut salaries if faced with a CPP/QPP hike.

The findings were shared with finance ministers in advance of their meeting.

See the full results at www.cfib.ca/cpp-qpp.

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 Dan Kelly or Laura Jones, please contact Al Maggi at 416-455-7824 or [email protected].