Saturday, May 23, 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. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement
Eby's party won a bare majority with 47 seats in the October provincial election, while two Greens were elected and the B.C. Conservatives have 44 seats. The premier's statement says the NDP and Greens will work together on health care, affordable housing, creating livable communities and growing a strong, sustainable economy. 

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

Former B.C. New Democrat member of the legislature Dan Coulter dead at 49

Former B.C. New Democrat member of the legislature Dan Coulter dead at 49
The party says Coulter "always championed the underdog," citing his work in the legislature after his election in Chilliwack in 2020, his former role of chair of the Chilliwack school board and as the Parliamentary secretary for accessibility and minister of state for infrastructure and transit.

Former B.C. New Democrat member of the legislature Dan Coulter dead at 49

Woman who preyed on Chinese students fined $3.3 million by BC Securities Commission

Woman who preyed on Chinese students fined $3.3 million by BC Securities Commission
A woman who used "high-pressure tactics and predatory conduct" on Chinese students has been fined $3.3 million by the BC Securities Commission. The commission says in a statement that a panel ordered Meiyun Zhang to pay an administrative penalty of $2.5 million and more than $790,000 in the traceable cash she's alleged to have obtained through fraud. 

Woman who preyed on Chinese students fined $3.3 million by BC Securities Commission

Skier missing at Sun Peaks resort

Skier missing at Sun Peaks resort
Police and search crews are on the lookout for a skier missing at Sun Peaks Resort since Tuesday. R-C-M-P say 68-year-old Tomasz Jaholkowski did not appear to return to his hotel room after being seen on surveillance video at a chairlift earlier in the day.

Skier missing at Sun Peaks resort

Inmate death in Abbotsford prison

Inmate death in Abbotsford prison
An inmate at an Abbotsford prison has died while in custody. The Correctional Service of Canada says the 39-year-old male inmate was serving a sentence of more than three years when he died at the Matsqui Institution.

Inmate death in Abbotsford prison

What the upcoming holiday GST relief will mean for consumers

What the upcoming holiday GST relief will mean for consumers
The federal government's GST break will arrive this Saturday, just in time for the last stretch of holiday shopping. Here's a breakdown of what you'll save on and how the relief works.

What the upcoming holiday GST relief will mean for consumers