As the framework for a private-sector pension alternative was approved for Canadians yesterday, some young adults in Calgary said they have been staying out of the debate.

This is despite the fact that those who work, like 21-year-old Andrew Laidlow, routinely pay into the Canada Pension Plan. Over the past year, Laidlow has paid more than $300 into the CPP through his part-time job, but said he’s never really questioned what the money was being put towards.

“It’s never really a topic in casual conversation,” said Laidlow, who also attends school at Mount Royal University.

“It might be the fact that it is just pilfered off the cheque. You don’t really see the money come off, it’s just a number on a cheque.”

Hardave Birk, vice-president external for the University of Calgary Students’ Union, said students like Laidlow are already preoccupied with numerous other responsibilities and pension discussions often take a backseat.

“A lot of students have enough troubles making ends meet on a week-to-week basis, they’re not thinking long term,” he said.

Ministers

• Canadian finance ministers met in Kananaskis yesterday to approve the private-pension framework.
• Six provinces had taken issue with federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s push for a private-pension alternative heading into yesterday’s meeting.
• The Calgary and District Labour Council reportedly spent part of yesterday morning occupying provincial Finance Minister Ted Morton’s Calgary-area office in protest of his refusal to support expansion of the CPP.
• Representatives of the Alberta Federation of Labour confronted the minister over the same issue at the Calgary Airport Delta Hotel on Sunday.

Metro Calgary, Tues Dec 21 2010
Byline: Jeremy Nolais