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 investigate possible explosion, house fire at home in Langley

Police investigate possible explosion, house fire at home in Langley
A house fire and possible explosion has closed off a neighbourhood in Langley. RCMP say the fire was reported on Friday morning, and officers along with firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene in the 7300 block of 196 Street. Police say homes in the surrounding area have since been evacuated.

Police investigate possible explosion, house fire at home in Langley

Man charged after investigation into B.C. drug trafficking network, police say

Man charged after investigation into B.C. drug trafficking network, police say
Police in British Columbia say a 31-year-old man has been charged following investigation into a drug trafficking network operating in the Lower Mainland and Interior. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. says in a release that their investigation began in the Lower Mainland last July, but the team soon uncovered the network reached as far as Kamloops.

Man charged after investigation into B.C. drug trafficking network, police say

Doug Ford's Ontario PCs win re-election, with tariff threats around the corner

Doug Ford's Ontario PCs win re-election, with tariff threats around the corner
Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives won't have long to sit back and bask in the glow of winning a third majority government with an imminent tariff threat around the corner. The Tories won Ontario's snap provincial election Thursday with Ford speaking about the need to fight U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs at nearly every turn on the campaign trail.

Doug Ford's Ontario PCs win re-election, with tariff threats around the corner

Transport Minister Anand says she's seeking re-election in face of Trump's threats

Transport Minister Anand says she's seeking re-election in face of Trump's threats
Anita Anand, minister of transport and internal trade, says she's changed her mind and will run in the upcoming federal election. In January, Anand said she would not run for the Liberal party leadership and would not seek re-election as she considered returning to her former life as an academic.

Transport Minister Anand says she's seeking re-election in face of Trump's threats

New Westminster Police urge caution when using apps to meet strangers for sex

New Westminster Police urge caution when using apps to meet strangers for sex
Police in New Westminster are warning residents about the dangers of meeting up with strangers from dating apps for "casual sexual encounters."  Spokesman Sgt. Andrew Leaver says police have responded "on numerous occasions" to calls where a suspect has lured a victim after connecting online through a dating site.

New Westminster Police urge caution when using apps to meet strangers for sex

Canada extends temporary visa application window for Ukrainians

Canada extends temporary visa application window for Ukrainians
The federal government is giving Ukrainians in Canada who fled Russia's invasion another year to apply for new or renewed temporary visas. The new deadline to apply for new or renewed work and study permits under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program is March 31, 2026.

Canada extends temporary visa application window for Ukrainians