The CPP Town Hall in Calgary is a hot ticket

The hottest ticket in town Tuesday night wasn't the Fireworks or the Top 40 concert — instead, a public town hall hosted by the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Investment Board took first place.

The BMO Center hosted the event, which had to be moved to a larger venue due to increased interest.

The Board holds public meetings in Canada every two years to update information on the fund's operations, management and investment approach.

Last time in town, 10 Calgarians participated.

It is expected to reach 1000 this year.

The pension plan has been a hot topic in Alberta for the past year after the provincial government released a commissioned report examining the feasibility of the Alberta Pension Plan (APP).

If Alberta gives the required three-year notice to withdraw from the CPP, it will be eligible for $334 billion, or about 53 per cent of the fund, by 2027, according to the report.

Critics called it a huge overestimate.

Calgarians seem determined to seek the truth.

“They want to know better what the CPP is, what the benefits are and how it compares to what they think about Alberta,” said Laurie Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University. “They have concerns that only (the CPP board) can address.”

Premier Daniel Smith said he would not call a referendum on the subject until the Office of the Actuary General released an updated number.

More information about public meetings can be found on the CPP Investments website.

The board will be in Edmonton on Wednesday.