As provinces, territories and the federal government moved closer to improving the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Dennis Fentie , the Yukon's Finance minister and premier, pushed the territory's agenda in Prince Edward Island earlier this week, where Finance ministers gathered for their biannual meeting.

Fentie told the Star Monday he urged federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to help facilitate fiscal transfers to First Nations governments in order to finalize implementation of their land claims.

"We'll be corresponding with (Flaherty) and Yukon First Nation chiefs to move forward with this,” said Fentie, adding Chuck Strahl, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, would be apprised.

The premier was also behind territorial and provincial officials "begin(ing) work immediately” to re-negotiate Canada Health (CHT) and Social Canada transfers (SCT), set to expire in 2014.

During this fiscal year, the federal government is poised to distribute $25.4 billion to provinces and territories under the CHT and more than $11 billion in SCT transfers, of which the Yukon government will receive $26.3 million and $11.1 million respectively.

The block health transfers assist jurisdictions in providing accessible health care and the necessary administration while the social transfer is aimed at supporting post-secondary education, early childhood development and social assistance.

On the issue of pensions, Fentie said the scope of talks at the Finance meeting revolved around three areas: financial literacy, incentives for businesses to create or improve existing private savings plans for employees and improving the Canada Pension Plan, a universal national retirement fund that critics say is inadequate and underfunded.

"We focused on ... the mandatory system but Canada can't change it just on its own,” said Fentie

"It needs the support of provinces and territories to do so, and we'll be looking at a modest enhancement of the CPP (when finance ministers meet again) this fall.”

Any changes to the national pension plan require the support of at least seven provinces.

While the Canadian Labour Congress believes a minor increase in CPP contributions – split by employers and workers – could double benefits within 10 years, there is resistance from the private sector, where private pension plans abound.

Some argue that increasing mandatory CPP contributions would amount to a tax increase and even if current benefits doubled, it would still keep recipients well below the poverty line.

The maximum annual CCP benefit one could hope to receive in 2010 is approximately $11,000.

Those below the maximum and who lack personal savings still get the tax-free Guaranteed Income Supplement to Old Age Security.

Today and Wednesday, Fentie is in Vancouver for the western premiers' conference, where clean energy and the economy are expected to top the agenda.