Saturday, February 7, 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

Eby's 10-day Asian trade trip eyes growth potential in Malaysia

Eby's 10-day Asian trade trip eyes growth potential in Malaysia
British Columbia government staff say Malaysia is being included in an Asian trade tour by Premier David Eby and other ministers as part of a bid to diversify trade away from the United States.

Eby's 10-day Asian trade trip eyes growth potential in Malaysia

Defence minister says cost of Trump's proposed missile defence project still unknown

Defence minister says cost of Trump's proposed missile defence project still unknown
Canada does not know what it would cost to join U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" missile defence program, Defence Minister David McGuinty said Wednesday.

Defence minister says cost of Trump's proposed missile defence project still unknown

Government moves to purge consumer carbon pricing from law

Government moves to purge consumer carbon pricing from law
The federal government moved on Tuesday to purge consumer carbon pricing from law, effectively putting an end to what was once the keystone of the Liberals' climate policy.

Government moves to purge consumer carbon pricing from law

'Duck Dynasty' patriarch and conservative cultural icon Phil Robertson dies

'Duck Dynasty' patriarch and conservative cultural icon Phil Robertson dies
WEST MONROE, La. (AP) — Phil Robertson, who turned his small duck calling interest in the sportsman's paradise of northern Louisiana into a big business and conservative cultural phenomenon, died Sunday, according to his family. He was 79.

'Duck Dynasty' patriarch and conservative cultural icon Phil Robertson dies

Company fined $10,000 in E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycares in 2023

Company fined $10,000 in E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycares in 2023
A commercial kitchen company at the centre of a massive E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycares was fined $10,000 Tuesday, with parents of some of the hundreds of children who fell ill saying it wasn't enough.

Company fined $10,000 in E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycares in 2023

King Charles, Queen Camilla delight Ottawa crowds with 'momentous' royal visit

King Charles, Queen Camilla delight Ottawa crowds with 'momentous' royal visit
Thousands of royal watchers gathered on a sunny Monday afternoon in Ottawa to give King Charles and Queen Camilla a taste of Canadian hospitality during their short but highly symbolic trip.

King Charles, Queen Camilla delight Ottawa crowds with 'momentous' royal visit