Many of you have asked: "How did this practice even start?"

The answer? It didn’t begin with legislation. It began with a practice—an administrative decision, made behind closed doors, without input from the people it affects most.

Before 1996, Canadians who qualified for CPP Disability (CPPD) received their pensions directly. It was theirs to use as needed—to cover medical costs, housing, food, and the unique challenges that come with severe disabilities. There was no mention that this pension could be rerouted to private insurers.

But that began to change in 1996.

Chapter 17 of the 1996 Auditor General’s Report reveals the truth: the federal government, through Human Resources Development Canada, deliberately initiated discussions with provincial workers' compensation boards and private insurers to explore using the CPPD benefit as a cost-saving tool. Not to support the disabled. Not to improve service. But to reduce costs.

In the government's own words:

"There is discussion of forging closer links among CPP, Employment Insurance, workers compensation plans, private insurers and provincial programs. Taking into account the potential for savings through increased information exchange, we urge the Department to step up its efforts to conclude agreements with the remaining Workers Compensation Boards and to undertake similar negotiations with other organizations."

And in the Department’s official response:

"The Department has been co-operating with various organizations on joint activities, such as rehabilitation and return-to-work efforts, including cost-sharing of rehabilitation efforts, etc. Exchange of information is ongoing between the Department and Régie des rentes du Québec, several provincial governments and private insurers... The exchange of information between the CPP and private insurers would be beneficial and could lead to additional savings. The Department is currently pursuing the possibility of a pilot project to determine the extent of possible savings."

This is how it began. 

The Minister entered into quiet negotiations—not to strengthen support for people with disabilities—but to help insurers and governments save money.

There is no section in the Canada Pension Plan that tells us our contributions might be handed to private insurance companies. The CPP was created as a contributory public pension, not a subsidy for insurers who already collected premiums.

Yet from this point forward, the government created a system that enabled exactly that. And they never told contributors. They never told disabled Canadians that once they needed the pension they paid for, it might already be earmarked for the Private Sector.

That’s why we’re fighting to repeal Section 65(3) of the Canada Pension Plan Act. Because it’s time to end secret agreements, protect the integrity of the CPP, and make sure disability pensions go to the people who earned them—not the private sector.

Please sign. Please share. And please know: this petition isn’t just about policy—it’s about protecting every Canadian who believes that a public pension should stay public.

Read the full report here: Auditor Generals Report 1996 Chapter 17