From October 27 to 30, 2023, we surveyed Canadians to know more about their perspectives on the Alberta’s government’s plan to withdraw Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and replace it with a new provincial pension plan, as well as the Canada Pension Plan itself.
Some of the key highlights of our survey on Albertans’ opinions on the proposed Alberta Pension Plan include…
- Support for Alberta’s separation from the Canada Pension Plan has grown over the past 6 months (up 6 points), due primarily to increased support among UCP supporters.
- Overall, 27% of Albertans support the government’s proposed creation of a new provincial pension program. Support is highest among UCP voters (54% support) and those aged 18 to 34 (32%)
- Overall, 48% of Albertans currently oppose the government’s plan to withdraw from the CPP. Opposition is greatest among NDP voters (82% oppose), retirees (58%), and those aged 55 and older (55%)
- Overall, Canadians who live outside Alberta are largely ambivalent regarding the Alberta Pension Plan, with 50% unsure or not having an opinion.
- 71% of Albertans reported that they are familiar with the UCP’s proposed plan to withdraw Alberta from the CPP and create Alberta’s own pension plan, whereas only 29% of those from the rest of Canada said they are familiar.
- Interestingly, when examining the results to a series of attitudinal statements regarding the CPP, Albertans’ opinions on the program are not significantly different from those of Canadians in general.
Methodology
An online survey was conducted among, 2,480 Canadians, including 1,001 residents of Alberta, aged 18 or older, from October 27 to 30, 2023.
The data was weighted according to the Canadian census figures for age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the Canadian and Albertan populations.
No margin of error can be associated with a non-probability sample. However, for comparative purposes, a probability sample of 1,001 Albertans would have a margin of error of ±3.1%, 19 times out of 20. A probability sample of 2,480 Canadians would have a margin of error of ±2.0%, 19 times out of 20.