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Finance ministers to talk housing, pensions and economy at annual meeting

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Dec, 2023 10:57 AM

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland started off her meeting with her provincial and territorial counterparts by saying housing is the central priority for many Canadians today.

She says today's discussions in Toronto will include looking how to work together to build more homes faster, and crack down on short term rentals.

The meeting comes as Canada continues to struggle with high inflation and elevated interest rates weighing on the economy and on many managing mortgage payments or trying to get into the housing market.

Freeland says the importance of working together to protect the retirement of all Canadians will also be addressed.

The ministers held a special meeting last month to discuss Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's push to quit the Canada Pension Plan for an Alberta-only version.

On his way into the meeting, Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy (BETH'-len-fahl-vee) said he expects Freeland to ask the ministers for feedback on a potential C-P-P exit from Alberta.

But Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer is downplaying the need to take need to take care of the issue immediately, calling it a "very long process" that is not urgent.

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