SAINT JOHN, N.B.- There appears to be growing support for the provincial government’s new shared risk pension model.

Premier David Alward was in Saint John yesterday to give an update on pension reform.

Deputy Mayor Shelly Rinehart says the pension issue is top of mind in the city.”We are all deeply concerned about the current state of our pension and we are very optimistic that the provincial model will offer a solution that addresses everyone’s concerns”, says Rinehart.

Saint John’s pension deficit is about 193-million dollars.

Rinehart says a recommendation from a pension task force is expected back before council in the fall.