Wednesday, May 20, 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

Missing Port Alberni hiker found

Missing Port Alberni hiker found
Mounties in British Columbia are asking the public to be honest after a missing hiker's friends delayed reporting her disappearance to police. Port Alberni RCMP say they received a report for the missing hiker on Monday morning after she disappeared at around 2:30 p.m. the previous day.

Missing Port Alberni hiker found

Senior pedestrian dies in crash

Senior pedestrian dies in crash
Vancouver Police are seeking witnesses to a collision involving an 85-year-old pedestrian who later died in hospital. Police say in a news release the collision happened on Dec. 15 when the man was struck by a 2001 Toyota Sienna as he was crossing Victoria Drive at the East Broadway intersection.

Senior pedestrian dies in crash

B.C. teen with avian flu deemed no longer infectious, taken off supplemental oxygen

B.C. teen with avian flu deemed no longer infectious, taken off supplemental oxygen
The letter, which was published Tuesday and provides a summary and timeline of the case, was signed by doctors from the BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Children’s Hospital, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and B.C.'s agriculture ministry.

B.C. teen with avian flu deemed no longer infectious, taken off supplemental oxygen

Trump's top priorities: Experts watching for how president-elect uses Day 1 powers

Trump's top priorities: Experts watching for how president-elect uses Day 1 powers
It's long been tradition for the incoming president to have an ambitious 100-day plan. Republicans say Americans, who elected Trump and gave GOP lawmakers a Congressional majority, have signed off on the mandate.

Trump's top priorities: Experts watching for how president-elect uses Day 1 powers

New year brings new Alberta taxes, electricity 'rate of last resort'

New year brings new Alberta taxes, electricity 'rate of last resort'
Alberta’s electricity “rate of last resort” starts today, replacing the province’s previous default rate for consumers who don't have a contract. The rate is set at about 12 cents per kilowatt hour until 2027.

New year brings new Alberta taxes, electricity 'rate of last resort'

Oliver is B.C.'s most popular name in 2024, as century of data show names come and go

Oliver is B.C.'s most popular name in 2024, as century of data show names come and go
B.C.'s Vital Statistics Agency says there were 216 Olivers born in the past year, topping the list for the first time, followed by Olivia, Liam, Noah, and Theodore. The top ten for 2024 is rounded out by Charlotte, Lucas, Isla, Amelia and Leo.

Oliver is B.C.'s most popular name in 2024, as century of data show names come and go