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

Singh promises 100% tariffs on Tesla, revival of electric vehicle incentive program

Singh promises 100% tariffs on Tesla, revival of electric vehicle incentive program
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Canada should charge 100 per cent tariffs on Tesla vehicles for as long as its trade war with the United States continues. He also says in a new release today that a government led by him would revive the federal government's incentive program for electric vehicle purchases.

Singh promises 100% tariffs on Tesla, revival of electric vehicle incentive program

Pedestrian killed in crash in Abbotsford linked to impaired driving

Pedestrian killed in crash in Abbotsford linked to impaired driving
A male pedestrian is dead after he was struck by what police are describing as an impaired driver in Abbotsford..... Police say the crash happened this morning in the 30000 block of Harris Road, where a white Dodge pickup truck had struck a power pole with enough force to shear off the pole.

Pedestrian killed in crash in Abbotsford linked to impaired driving

Two injured in unprovoked attack at business in Surrey

Two injured in unprovoked attack at business in Surrey
Police in Surrey are on the lookout for a suspect involved in two unprovoked attacks in the city that sent one person to hospital. Surrey police say the attack took place at an unspecified business on 120 Street, where the suspect began by physically assaulting a staff member.

Two injured in unprovoked attack at business in Surrey

Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: Canadian ambassador

Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: Canadian ambassador
Canada's ambassador to France says United States President Donald Trump's invasion threats violate international law. Trump has said he wouldn’t rule out using military force to take over Greenland, which is part of Denmark.

Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: Canadian ambassador

Poilievre promises a military base in Iqaluit, would cut foreign aid to pay for it

Poilievre promises a military base in Iqaluit, would cut foreign aid to pay for it
A Conservative government would built a permanent military base in Nunavut and pay for it by "dramatically cutting" Canada's foreign aid budget, Leader Pierre Poilievre said Monday in Iqaluit. Speaking at a press conference Poilievre said CFB Iqaluit would serve as a base for Royal Canadian Air Force operations defending Canada's Arctic and for search and rescue missions.

Poilievre promises a military base in Iqaluit, would cut foreign aid to pay for it

Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming Monday for steel and aluminum imports

Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming Monday for steel and aluminum imports
U.S. President Donald Trump said he'll impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States on Monday — and there will be no carve-outs for America's closest neighbours. Trump told reporters about the impending duties on Air Force 1 as he flew to New Orleans to attend Sunday's Super Bowl. The president also said he would announce "reciprocal tariffs" later this week.

Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming Monday for steel and aluminum imports