National

Immigration, pension: A look at survey questions put forward by Alberta Next panel

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Jun, 2025 10:44 AM

The Alberta Next panel, chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, is holding town halls this summer to get feedback on how the province should stand up to Ottawa while building a "strong and sovereign Alberta within Canada."

Smith has promised a referendum next year on some of the ideas put forward to the panel.

The panel's website launched on Tuesday with surveys on six issues. Before taking each survey, participants must watch a short video.

Here are some of the questions:

Immigration

"Should the provincial government refuse to provide provincial programs to non-citizens and non-permanent residents living in Alberta unless they have been granted an Alberta government-approved immigration permit?"

Constitutional changes

"Should Alberta take a lead role in working with other provinces to pressure the federal government to amend the Canadian constitution to empower and better protect provincial rights?"

Federal transfers and equalization

"Do you agree that the current federal transfer and equalization system is unfair to Alberta?"

"Do you think Alberta should work with other provinces to transfer a larger share of overall taxes from Ottawa to the provinces?"

Provincial police force

"What aspect do you like most about an Alberta Police Service?"

"What concerns you most about shifting from the RCMP to an Alberta Police Service?"

Alberta pension plan

"What potential benefit do you like most about Alberta opting to leave the CPP and create its own Pension Plan?"

"Which risk of opting out of CPP to start an Alberta Pension Plan are you most concerned about?

Tax collection

This survey had problems displaying questions on the website Tuesday afternoon, but a video beforehand asks Albertans if they would support creating a provincial revenue agency.

It says doing so would require hiring 5,000 staff, cost Alberta at least $750 million per year, and require residents to file provincial and federal taxes separately -- but it would also create jobs and give Alberta more of a say over its tax regime.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

No more home internet money for Tory, Liberal MPs

A breakdown of recent expenses shows 31 Tory MPs have charged taxpayers for home internet services for either themselves or staff. The information was first reported by the National Post.

No more home internet money for Tory, Liberal MPs

Liberals kick off their winter caucus retreat

The federal party's caucus chair says their first priority is making life more affordable for Canadians, and MPs also want to build a green economy and address climate change. Brenda Shanahan says the retreat is critical because the 158 MPs haven't gotten together since before the holidays, and it's time for them to put forward fresh ideas.

Liberals kick off their winter caucus retreat

South Asian community health workers welcome new alcohol guide

"Given the uniquely high risk of alcohol use issues and morbidity among South Asians, it is clear that a more focused and nuanced understanding of (alcohol use disorder) treatment in this (population) is necessary," says the review, which notes no North American studies focus specifically on South Asians in alcohol treatment settings.

South Asian community health workers welcome new alcohol guide

Nearly 500 B.C. staff hit by Canfor restructuring

The Chetwynd closure is expected in April or May and the announcement came just two days after the mill reopened following a holiday curtailment, but a company statement says Canfor is "committed to supporting displaced employees," and where possible, it says they will top the list for hiring at other mills.

Nearly 500 B.C. staff hit by Canfor restructuring

COVID-19 misinformation cost Canadian lives: study

The study suggests that the belief that COVID-19 was a "hoax or exaggerated" led to 2.35 million people delaying or refusing to get the vaccine between March and November of 2021. The study also didn't include estimated "indirect costs and the ripple costs," he says, such as delayed elective surgeries and treating long-COVID cases.

COVID-19 misinformation cost Canadian lives: study

Impersonators behind 32 home frauds in Ont., B.C.

Mortgage and title fraudsters who impersonate homeowners and tenants have targeted at least 32 properties in Ontario and British Columbia, investigators and official warnings suggest. Insurance investigator Brian King, president and CEO of King International Advisory Group, said his firm had received 30 such claims in Ontario.