Harper AIMCo appointment met with immediate criticism

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 22, 2024.

news@medicinehatnews.com

The Alberta Teacher Association says the appointment of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper to the leadership role for AIMCo’s board of directors raises questions around the newly reconstituted board’s autonomy.

The province’s investment agency is responsible for more than $160 billion in funds, including more than $115 billion in public pension funds and the Heritage Savings Trust Fund.

ATA president Jason Schilling says the recent decision announced by the province Wednesday comes to the frustration of teachers, who have long felt their pensions are being politicized by the UCP government.

“The association is troubled by the government’s action regarding the dismissal of the AIMCo board and the subsequent appointment of Stephen Harper as chairman,” said Schilling. “Even more concerning is the decision to instal the deputy minister of treasury board and finance as a permanent member of the AMICo board,” referring to Nate Horner.

Public Interest Alberta, a province-wide non-profit founded in 2004, is echoing concerns saying no politician should be in charge of any one pensioner’s retirement.

“Let alone 375,000 Albertans who are not under the direct control of Stephen Harper,” said executive director Bredley Lafortune. “Harper infamously introduced two-tiered pensions in 2012 while serving as prime minister. He is a multi-millionaire who is out of touch with the average working Albertan.”

The organization of concerned residents has launched an online campaign against a proposed Alberta Pension Plan called ‘Save our CPP’ that can be found by visiting pialberta.org.

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