Calgary Demonstrators Rally to Protect CPP from UCP Changes
On Saturday, a group of passionate demonstrators gathered outside the United Conservative Party (UCP) headquarters in Calgary to protest against potential changes to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The rally, organized by the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), aimed to send a clear message to the UCP government: keep your hands off our CPP.
The CPP is a federal program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible Canadians. It is funded by contributions from both employees and employers, and any changes to the program must be approved by the federal and provincial governments.
The UCP government has been considering changes to the CPP, including potentially opting out of the program altogether and creating a provincial pension plan. This has sparked concern and outrage among many Albertans, who fear that such changes could result in reduced benefits and increased costs for workers.
At the rally, AFL President Gil McGowan addressed the crowd, stating that the UCP’s proposed changes to the CPP are “a direct attack on the retirement security of Albertans.” He also criticized the government for not consulting with workers and unions before considering these changes.
Other speakers at the rally included representatives from various unions and advocacy groups, who shared personal stories and statistics to highlight the importance of the CPP for workers and retirees. They also called on the UCP government to prioritize the needs of Albertans and protect the CPP.
The UCP government has defended their consideration of changes to the CPP, stating that they are exploring all options to address the province’s economic challenges. However, the demonstrators argue that any changes to the CPP should be made in consultation with workers and unions, and should not compromise the retirement security of Albertans.
The rally ended with a call to action for all Albertans to contact their MLAs and voice their concerns about the potential changes to the CPP. The AFL also plans to continue their advocacy efforts and hold the UCP government accountable for any decisions made regarding the CPP.
In conclusion, the rally was a powerful display of solidarity and determination by Albertans to protect their retirement security. The message to the UCP government was clear: keep your hands off our CPP.
