Monday, May 11, 2026
ADVT 
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
  • Immigration, pension: A look at survey questions put forward by Alberta Next panel

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

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Police in New Westminster arrest female student at high school with knife

Police in New Westminster arrest female student at high school with knife
Police in New Westminster, B.C., say they acted on a 911 call about a student armed with a knife at a local high school on Thursday. They say the caller told them the female student had made comments that caused them concern for the safety of other students and staff at New Westminster Secondary School. 

Police in New Westminster arrest female student at high school with knife

Why are clocks set forward in the spring? Thank wars, confusion and a hunger for sunlight

Why are clocks set forward in the spring? Thank wars, confusion and a hunger for sunlight
Once again, most Americans will set their clocks forward by one hour this weekend, losing perhaps a bit of sleepbut gaining more glorious sunlight in the evenings as the days warm into summer. Where did this all come from, though?

Why are clocks set forward in the spring? Thank wars, confusion and a hunger for sunlight

Rainfall warning issued for Vancouver Island as atmospheric river approaches

Rainfall warning issued for Vancouver Island as atmospheric river approaches
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for west Vancouver Island as an atmospheric river approaches. It says the weather system will bring up to 120 millimetres of rain that is expected to begin Friday evening and last until Saturday night.

Rainfall warning issued for Vancouver Island as atmospheric river approaches

Trump's temporary pause on some tariffs brings little relief to Canada

Trump's temporary pause on some tariffs brings little relief to Canada
Trump signed an executive order Thursday delaying tariffs on goods that meet the rules-of-origin requirements under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, often referred to as CUSMA, and lowering levies on potash to 10 per cent, until April 2.

Trump's temporary pause on some tariffs brings little relief to Canada

B.C. Conservative attacks 'super angry' Indigenous colleague over residential schools

B.C. Conservative attacks 'super angry' Indigenous colleague over residential schools
Dallas Brodie didn't name anyone, but appeared to single out the Conservatives' house leader, A'aliya Warbus, by criticizing an Indigenous woman who sided with the governing NDP to criticize Brodie. Warbus is the only Indigenous woman in the Opposition ranks

B.C. Conservative attacks 'super angry' Indigenous colleague over residential schools

Canadians should expect AI-enabled foreign meddling in election: cybersecurity centre

Canadians should expect AI-enabled foreign meddling in election: cybersecurity centre
In a new report, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security says it expects individuals affiliated with the Chinese government will continue to target diaspora communities, pushing narratives favourable to Beijing's interests on social media platforms. Cybercriminals are also likely to take advantage of election-related opportunities to perpetrate scams, says the centre, which is an arm of Canada's cyberspy agency, the Communications Security Establishment. 

Canadians should expect AI-enabled foreign meddling in election: cybersecurity centre