Defined benefit pension plan coverage in Canada in the private sector is declining. Defined contribution pension plans are experiencing weak growth. Government attention to the issue of expanding coverage has been haphazard and reactive. This lack of focus on expanding pension coverage has caused the ACPM considerable concern.
The ACPM raises the issue of coverage whenever the opportunity arises. Most recently, we asked the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) to recognize the need to encourage expanded coverage when developing the Model Pension Law. We also advocated strongly for increased pension coverage in our 2005 report “Back from the Brink,” in our 2008/2009 submissions to the Pension Review Panels for each of Ontario, Alberta/B.C., Nova Scotia and the federal government.
Also, in the spring of 2004, we sent letters to all governments across Canada asking them to take steps to expand pension plan coverage in their jurisdictions.
2004 letters to provincial and federal governments