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

Dairy workers’ cats died from bird flu, but it’s not clear how they got infected

Two cats that belonged to Michigan dairy workers died after being infected with bird flu. But it's still not clear how the animals got sick or whether they spread the virus to people in the household, a new study shows. Veterinary experts said the report, published Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lacks detail that could confirm whether people can spread the virus to domestic cats — or vice versa.

Dairy workers’ cats died from bird flu, but it’s not clear how they got infected

B.C. task force aims to grow agriculture, food processing industries

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says the task force will provide recommendations to government in the next 10 months on topics such as access to water, land and labour, as well as competitiveness and investment.

B.C. task force aims to grow agriculture, food processing industries

Two drivers accused of hitting same pedestrian then leaving B.C. crash site

Mounties in Coquitlam say charges have been approved against two drivers who are accused of leaving the scene after allegedly running over the same pedestrian. Police say a lone female had the right of way at the intersection of Pinetree Way and Guildford Way in January last year when she was hit by a vehicle.

Two drivers accused of hitting same pedestrian then leaving B.C. crash site

As Trump flags timber tariffs soon, B.C. minister says impact would be 'devastating'

B.C.'s Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says the expectation of more duties and additional tariffs piled onto Canadian softwood lumber would "absolutely be devastating" for the country's industry. Parmar says the government expects the U.S. Commerce Department will issue anti-dumping duties by Friday of as much as 14 per cent, on top of the current 14.4 per cent duty.

As Trump flags timber tariffs soon, B.C. minister says impact would be 'devastating'

B.C. Conservative MLA says drug crisis cost lives of her brothers, niece and nephew

The House Leader of the Opposition B.C. Conservatives has described the "unsurmountable" personal impact of the toxic drug crisis, which she says claimed the lives of two of her brothers, a niece and a nephew. A'aliya Warbus says that just last week she attended a memorial for one brother who died from "a lethal dose of drugs" a year ago.

B.C. Conservative MLA says drug crisis cost lives of her brothers, niece and nephew

No damages reported after earthquake shakes parts of Alberta, B.C.

Earthquakes Canada says some Alberta and B.C. residents may have felt the ground shake Thursday morning. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake was detected roughly 63 kilometres northeast of Grande Cache, Alta., but it isn't believed to have caused any damage.