Sunday, May 31, 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

Storm bringing rain and intense winds to Vancouver

Storm bringing rain and intense winds to Vancouver
Environment Canada said it could bring gusts of 120 km/h to the central and north coasts, with winds of 100 km/h or more elsewhere on the coast and Vancouver Island. It said the winds were expected to peak Tuesday night with severe weather likely to continue into Wednesday.

Storm bringing rain and intense winds to Vancouver

Canada Post, union sit down with mediator, but still ‘far apart’ as strike drags on

Canada Post, union sit down with mediator, but still ‘far apart’ as strike drags on
Representatives from Canada Post and the postal workers union sat down with a special mediator Monday, but seem no closer to reaching a deal as a countrywide strike enters its fifth day. In a statement, Canada Post said the parties "remain far apart" but that the Crown corporation continues to aim for a deal hammered out at the bargaining table.

Canada Post, union sit down with mediator, but still ‘far apart’ as strike drags on

'Profit ahead of people's lives': Trial begins in freezing deaths of migrant family

'Profit ahead of people's lives': Trial begins in freezing deaths of migrant family
A family of four from India froze to death while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border in a blizzard because alleged human smugglers cared more about money than the risk of people dying, a prosecutor said Monday. The two men are accused of being part of an operation that brought people from India to Canada then across the border from Manitoba into Minnesota.

'Profit ahead of people's lives': Trial begins in freezing deaths of migrant family

Border agency says changes to hours at 35 land crossings coming in January

Border agency says changes to hours at 35 land crossings coming in January
The Canada Border Services Agency says it will be adjusting hours at 35 land ports of entry in January -- a move it says will allow it to deploy officers at busier land crossings. Only one crossing in Alberta will be affected -- the facility at Del Bonita -- where hours will be 9 to 5, seven days a week, beginning January 6.

Border agency says changes to hours at 35 land crossings coming in January

Ottawa seeks project pitches to for new mental health fund aimed at youth

Ottawa seeks project pitches to for new mental health fund aimed at youth
Health and Addictions Minister Ya'ara Saks is looking for pitches to help young Canadians who are struggling with their mental health. The federal government plans to distribute $500 million for projects that help young people struggling to afford private mental health care services.

Ottawa seeks project pitches to for new mental health fund aimed at youth

Prince Harry in Vancouver as Invictus Games school program launches online

Prince Harry in Vancouver as Invictus Games school program launches online
Prince Harry is in Vancouver for the launch of a campaign to raise awareness of the Invictus Games among children and youth, one day after surprising Canadian football fans by appearing at the Grey Cup in the city. The prince visited Vancouver-area elementary and high school students at Seaforth Armoury.

Prince Harry in Vancouver as Invictus Games school program launches online