The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released more details today on the cost of Calgary’s city council pension benefits and renewed its call for reform. The CTF also wrote an open letter to the city manager, asking for more information on council’s second pension plan.

This past September, the CTF released details on the cost of the main council pension plan (Elected Officials Pension Plan), noting that taxpayers paid $5.8 million for the plan between 2007-2016 while council members only put in $1.2 million during the same period. Since then, the CTF obtained info about the cost of the second pension plan available to council (Elected Officials Supplementary Pension).

“It seems the second council pension plan is more convoluted than we expected,” said CTF Interim Alberta Director Colin Craig. “Back in 1999 it was positioned as a second pension for all of council. However, a recent city document suggests the mayor is currently the only one on council who qualifies for both plans.”

A freedom of information response indicates the city spent $329,177 on the second pension plan between 2008-2016. As the plan operates on a “pay as you go” basis, it seems those expenses are for retired members of council. It’s not clear what the cost will be for Mayor Nenshi’s benefits in the future.

“It’s time to shut down the pension party at city hall and put council members in a less costly pension plan,” added Craig.

The CTF noted that during the recent election, councillors Chu, Chahal, Davison and Keating agreed to bring forward a motion to reform council pensions. Several other councillors supported examining the issue.

To see the FOIP document obtained by the CTF – click here

To see the CTF’s open letter to the city manager – click here