The NDP has accused Manitoba’s premier of stalling on improvements to the Canadian Pension Plan in order to benefit personally from the private pension industry
The NDP has accused Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister of refusing to improve the Canadian Pension Plan because he stands to benefit personally from the private pension industry, according to a Winnipeg Free Press report.
“The premier made his fortune in the private pension industry,” said interim Opposition leader Flor Marcelino. “His real agenda is to promote private pensions.”
And New Democrat James Allum accused Pallister of being “blinded by his own association with the private sector.”
Pallister said the NDP was attempting to assassinate his character, according to the Free Press. “It’s over the top,” he said.
Pallister said the government did have a plan to strengthen the CPP, but didn’t elaborate. He also said that it was vital for Manitoba to make sure any changes made to the plan were done right, the Free Press reported.
Finance Minister Cameron Friesen agreed.
“It’s important that we get this discussion right,” he said. “We will take the time.”
But Allum and Marcelino pointed out that Pallister, who owns an insurance agency, continues to make money by selling insurance from Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. Sun Life was among the lenders Pallister and Friesen met with during a recent trip to Toronto to discuss concerns about Manitoba’s credit rating, the Free Press reported.
