EDMONTON — Alberta Finance Minister Doug Horner says a harshly critical letter from Calgary’s mayor had little to do with the government’s decision to temporarily shelve two pension bills.
Proposed legislation to overhaul civil service pensions is to be discussed at public hearings by an all-party committee this summer.
Horner says recent talks with stakeholders, including the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, made it clear there are concerns to be addressed.
He says pension reform still needs to happen to make sure money is there for future retirees.
The union says the proposed law would concentrate too much power in the government, and could see benefits slashed drastically if the economy took a downturn.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has echoed those concerns and suggests the reforms as they stand could decimate his city’s labour force.