For many Canadians, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a key part of their future retirement plans. Many others currently rely on it as a foundation of their retirement income. Last week, after two weeks of negotiations with the federal government, Manitoba’s provincial government reached an agreement that will work to make the CPP not just bigger, but better. This followed an agreement by the provinces to increase the CPP over time.
The federal government has agreed to undertake further reviews to better the CPP for those who need it most. Some of the proposals that were recommended by our government and that will be reviewed include; the elimination of the claw back of guaranteed income supplement payments for widowed seniors’ CPP survivor benefits, the indexation of the CPP death benefit, and the comprehensive review of CPP survivor and disability benefits.
The agreement by the federal government to consider these proposals in the future is the result of the Manitoba government working to support those Manitobans who rely on CPP both now and those in the future. These proposals also received support from other provinces. It demonstrates the ability of governments to work together and in the interests of all Canadians. The Canada Pension Plan needs to remain strong for all Manitobans. The changes agreed to and those that are being examined will not only make CPP bigger, but also better.
