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Toronto

Trudeau, Wynne make progress on Ontario pension plan

Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau will direct federal bureaucrats to work with their counterparts in Ontario on the implementation of a provincial retirement pension plan, a key item on Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne's agenda that had little support from the Conservative government.

Prime minister-designate's 1st meeting with a premier since last week's election victory

RAW: Trudeaumania Mk II reaches Queen's Park

9 years ago
Duration 1:03
Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau arrives at Queen's Park for a meeting with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeauwill direct federal bureaucrats to work with their counterparts in Ontario on the implementation of a provincial retirement pension plan, a key item on Premier Kathleen Wynne's agenda that had little support from the Conservative government, an officialwith Wynne's Liberal governmentconfirmed to CBC News.

The news came hours after Trudeauand Wynnemet at Queen's Park in what wasTrudeau'shis first official meeting outside Ottawa since the federal Liberal Party's victory in last week's general election.

Trudeaudid not answer any media questions, sayinghe'd have plenty to say next week after he names his cabinet. However, the officialconfirmed that the two made progresson the issue of greater retirement security.

Once the Liberals are sworn in, officials with both the finance and national revenue departments will work with Ontario officials "on the registration and administration" of the pension plan,the officialsaid.

Wynne had previouslysaidthat ensuring people who don't already have a workplace pension get a more adequate retirement income from the CPP would be the topic of her first conversation withTrudeau.

Trudeau and Wynne met for about 30 minutesbefore heading to thefuneral of noted Canadian diplomatKen Taylor.

All Trudeau would say to reporters outsidewasthat it was a "good meeting" and that he's looking forward to working with Wynne.

Later, in a joint statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Wynne and Trudeausaid they discussed how the two levels of government "can work together on issues important to Canadians and Ontarians," including jobs and economic growth.

In particular, the two discussed infrastructure investment and improving retirement security forCanadians, according to the statement.Ontario is hoping for federal help with its signature $130-billion, 10-year plan for public transit and infrastructureprojects.

The two also discussed climate change, and the incoming government's pledge to call a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls.

"In addition to working together on these and other issues, we look forward to a new and positive relationship between the new Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario one based on mutual respect, common goals and shared values, and one that is committed to making progress on the things that are important to the people we serve," the two leaders said.

Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau met fellow Liberal Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne Tuesday at Queen's Park in Toronto. Wynne campaigned for the federal party after Trudeau helped her provincial campaign in 2014. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)

The meeting camea little more than a week after the end of the federal election campaign, during whichWynnemade numerous appearanceswith Trudeau Liberals.

Thepremier praised Trudeau as being, "good for Ontario and good for Canada," the morning after the Liberal Party defeated theConservativesand won amajority government.

AfterWynne appeared several times withTrudeau,and lent much of the Ontario Liberal campaign organizationtothe federal party,Trudeau swept Toronto and much of the GTA, winning 80 of Ontario's 121 federal seats. Trudeau's "red wave" also swept over downtown Toronto, with Liberals winning all 25 ridings.

The premier had a frosty relationship with outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper, urging voters to turf the Conservative government early on in the election campaign.

Expectations are high that the leaders of Canada's two largest governments will see eye to eye on a host of federal-provincial issues, including:

  • Climate change.
  • Assisted suicide.
  • Prostitution.
  • Legalization of marijuana(Wynne has said it'stime for a national conversation about pot).

Trudeau embraces Wynne upon arriving at Queen's Park for his first meeting with Ontario's premier since his win last week. (Mike Crawley/CBC)

Won't place demands on Trudeau

Wynnetold The Canadian Press last weekthat the new federal-provincial relationship would not include a "ticking of boxes," and insisted she would not present the incoming prime minister with a list of Ontario demands in exchange for having helped deliver his new majority government.

During the election campaign, Harper boasted that he"delighted" in blocking any federal government help to create oradminister the new Ontario Retirement Pension Plan, dismissing it asa "job-killing payroll tax."

Wynne cautionedthat Trudeau alone can't agree to increasecontributions and benefits under the CPP and needs the consent ofother provinces. She said her government will continue planning to start payrolldeductions for the provincial pension plan onJan. 1, 2017.

With files from The Canadian Press