Last December, the Ministers of Finance agreed to continue their work to expand the Canada Pension Plan, regardless of the federal government's intention to pass legislation introducing the vastly inferior Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs) as a way to solve Canada's retirement income crisis. I am writing to you to urge you to support expanding the CPP.

The Ontario and Manitoba governments have led the way, insisting that they will not introduce PRPPs in their provinces without a dual track of expanding the Canada Pension Plan. I know that finance ministers will be discussing what would constitute a modest enhancement of the CPP at your upcoming meeting and I want to urge you to consider the next generation of young people in your deliberations.

PRPPs and changing the eligibility age from 65 to 67 will not solve the pension crisis for future generations. With employers eliminating workplace pension plans, with our young people leaving school with record levels of student debt and entering an uncertain job market, there is only one way to secure their future and make sure they don't struggle after a lifetime of work. That way is to double future benefits on a go forward, fully funded basis. The plan proposed by the Canadian Labour Congress is increasingly supported by credible and expert validators, and will truly ensure that over a generation, today's young people have a decent retirement after a lifetime of work.

It's time for your province to join the majority and support expanding the Canada Pension Plan. I urge you to consider the very credible plan proposed by the Canadian Labour Congress.