Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger supports federal NDP’s higher CPP plan

WINNIPEG – Manitoba NDP Premier Greg Selinger says he supports the federal party’s election promise to expand the Canada Pension Plan.

Current benefits are not high enough and should be doubled or more through slow and gradual increases, Selinger said.

Federal leader Tom Mulcair has promised that an NDP government would convene a first ministers meeting within six months of taking office to discuss expanding the Canada and Quebec pension plans.

The federal Conservative government has opposed the idea, because it would require higher premiums for workers and employers.

Selinger said increasing the pension plan would give seniors more security and reduce the need for the Guaranteed Income Supplement given to low-income seniors.

Some provinces are considering setting up their own pension plans, but Selinger said a national approach is best because it would cover workers who move between provinces.