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

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking
A recent B.C. Ministry of Health document says a "significant portion" of opioids prescribed by doctors and pharmacists are being diverted and that prescribed alternatives are being trafficked provincially, nationally and internationally.

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking

2 arrested in catalytic converter theft

2 arrested in catalytic converter theft
Mounties in Burnaby say two women have been arrested after stealing a catalytic converter from a van in a parking lot in the area of Brighton Avenue and Lougheed Highway. They say that on January 22nd, officers responded to reports of the women underneath the vehicle, but the pair left the scene before they arrived. 

2 arrested in catalytic converter theft

Talk of changing Vancouver's supportive housing policy has organizations on edge

Talk of changing Vancouver's supportive housing policy has organizations on edge
Mayor Ken Sim announced last month that he would be putting forward a proposal to pause construction of net new supportive housing units in Vancouver, arguing that the city needs to focus on updating its current stock, while supply in other parts of the region increases.

Talk of changing Vancouver's supportive housing policy has organizations on edge

Police ask for help in probe of B.C. woman's death in fall from a truck

Police ask for help in probe of B.C. woman's death in fall from a truck
The RCMP's major crime unit is asking for the public's help in investigating the death of a woman almost a month ago in Trial. Police say 38-year-old Laura Morrison was the front passenger in a 2023 white Ford F-150 late on Jan. 9 when she reportedly fell from the moving vehicle. 

Police ask for help in probe of B.C. woman's death in fall from a truck

Donations flowed to BC United long after it suspended election campaign

Donations flowed to BC United long after it suspended election campaign
Political financing reports show that the collapsed BC United party collected more than $223,000 in donations after it suspended campaigning in last year's provincial election, including tens of thousands received after the Oct. 19 vote.  Financial reports filed with Elections BC show almost all of the donations appear to be automatic bank transfers, occurring on the 20th of each month. 

Donations flowed to BC United long after it suspended election campaign

Environment Canada cautions of frostbite as frigid temperatures linger in B.C.

Environment Canada cautions of frostbite as frigid temperatures linger in B.C.
Environment Canada is warning that frostbite and hypothermia that can occur within minutes as frigid conditions linger over much of British Columbia.  Extreme cold and arctic outflow warnings are in place for much of the interior as well as the north and central coasts and the agency is suggesting people limit outdoor activities and ensure pets and outdoor animals are sheltered.

Environment Canada cautions of frostbite as frigid temperatures linger in B.C.