The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) is joining the fray over Alberta’s potential exit from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

During a speech to the United Nurses of Alberta, AFL President Gil McGowan said Albertans need a public campaign to keep us in the CPP.

“We need a ‘remain’ campaign – a campaign to keep Alberta in the Canada Pension Plan,” said McGowan.

“It needs to be Albertans who lead the charge. It needs to be Albertans who debunk the myths and challenge the lies.”

McGowan committed AFL to serving as a catalyst and convenor for a provincewide campaign aimed at keeping Alberta part of the CPP.

McGowan’s speech comes a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a letter to Premier Danielle Smith warning her that his government would fight any move by Alberta to withdraw from the federal pension plan.

McGowan warned the audience that Trudeau was playing into Premier Smith’s hands.

“She wants a fight with Justin Trudeau – and she’s willing to play politics with our pensions to get it,” cautioned McGowan.

“Smith wants to frame this as a fight with Ottawa.”

In the coming days, McGowan says Albertans can expect to see things like a campaign website and perhaps digital ads. Efforts will also be made to organize in-person town hall meetings, in contrast to the telephone town halls held by the government.