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OTTAWA — The federal government’s long-awaited launch of pooled registered pension plans, officially announced Tuesday, is meant to fill a huge retirement savings gap for Canadian workers currently without those benefits.

But for now, the PRPP program will be limited to those employed by federally regulated industries or working in northern communities.

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Just one province, Quebec, has so far gone it alone in creating a similar scheme — coming into effect on July 1 — although others, such as Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta, have legislation in the works and are expected to follow through at some point in the next year. Nova Scotia, as well, has announced it will be considering legislation soon.

I encourage all provinces — as with Ontario — to follow suit in a timely manner

“I encourage all provinces — as with Ontario — to follow suit in a timely manner,” said Kevin Sorenson, the minister of state for finance, who unveiled the makeup of the federal program at a news conference in Ottawa.