Tuesday, May 12, 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

With talk of D-Day and war, throne speech portrays B.C. in historic tariff battle

With talk of D-Day and war, throne speech portrays B.C. in historic tariff battle
British Columbia's government has depicted the province on a battle footing against the threat of U.S. tariffs, as it faces its “most consequential time” since the Second World War. The NDP government's agenda, outlined in a throne speech delivered by Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia on Tuesday, evoked wartime imagery with references to Winston Churchill, D-Day and the fight against Nazism.

With talk of D-Day and war, throne speech portrays B.C. in historic tariff battle

Pounding rain, damaging winds battering parts of B.C. through Wednesday

Pounding rain, damaging winds battering parts of B.C. through Wednesday
Heavy rain and strong winds are pummeling parts of British Columbia.  Environment Canada has issued warnings for much of Vancouver Island, Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast and eastern and northern sections of Metro Vancouver. 

Pounding rain, damaging winds battering parts of B.C. through Wednesday

Fire-ravaged Lytton getting 'community hub' with museum, pool, market space

Fire-ravaged Lytton getting 'community hub' with museum, pool, market space
The federal government is promising more than $25 million to help build a new "community hub" in the Village of Lytton years after much of the B.C. town was wiped out by fire. A statement from the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities says the new building is expected to include a community-sized pool and fire reservoir, a museum, a market space, multi-purpose rooms and accessible washrooms.

Fire-ravaged Lytton getting 'community hub' with museum, pool, market space

Investigation into plane crash at Pearson airport continues as crews handle wreckage

Investigation into plane crash at Pearson airport continues as crews handle wreckage
Two of Pearson's five runways, including the "busiest" in Canada, remain closed, said the airport's duty manager Jake Keating. The airport had capped departures throughout the day and a similar step had been taken to manage arrivals. 

Investigation into plane crash at Pearson airport continues as crews handle wreckage

Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney plans 'small' deficits for capital projects

Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney plans 'small' deficits for capital projects
Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney is vowing to split the federal budget between capital and operating spending, and to balance the operating side while running small capital deficits. Carney made the comments at a press conference in Scarborough, Ont., where he also promised he would reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio over time.

Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney plans 'small' deficits for capital projects

B.C. legislative assembly re-elects Raj Chouhan as its Speaker ahead of throne speech

B.C. legislative assembly re-elects Raj Chouhan as its Speaker ahead of throne speech
British Columbia's legislative session opens today amid what Premier David Eby describes as a time of "extraordinary change and uncertainty." Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia is scheduled to deliver the speech from the throne this afternoon, laying out the B.C. government's plan as looming U.S. tariffs threaten the Canadian economy.

B.C. legislative assembly re-elects Raj Chouhan as its Speaker ahead of throne speech