Thursday, June 4, 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

Leaders televised debate tonight

Leaders televised debate tonight
Leaders from the three main political parties in B-C are set to square off today in the only televised debate before election day. The three candidates also took part in a radio debate last week, which saw them joust over affordability, health care and the opioid crisis, while trying to undermine each other's credibility to form the next provincial government.

Leaders televised debate tonight

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed to Laos for ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed to Laos for ASEAN Summit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is travelling to Laos today to take part in the ASEAN Summit. Canada is not a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but has a strategic partnership with ASEAN and is hoping to conclude a trade deal with the 10-nation bloc by the end of next year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed to Laos for ASEAN Summit

Suspected homicide under investigation in Port Hardy

Suspected homicide under investigation in Port Hardy
Police are investigating what they say is a suspected homicide in Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island. The major crime unit says in a statement that a person was discovered hurt in the community on Sunday.

Suspected homicide under investigation in Port Hardy

Driver charged with impaired driving causing death

Driver charged with impaired driving causing death
Surrey R-C-M-P say a driver has been charged with impaired driving causing death after a pedestrian was struck and killed while at a bus stop over the weekend. Investigators say on Saturday afternoon a truck crossed into oncoming traffic and then collided with a bus stop bench injuring two pedestrians and causing damage to the surrounding property.

Driver charged with impaired driving causing death

Inflation, interest rates eroded Canadians' purchasing power since 2022: PBO report

Inflation, interest rates eroded Canadians' purchasing power since 2022: PBO report
Inflation and higher interest rates have eroded Canadians' purchasing power since 2022, particularly for lower-income households, a new report from the parliamentary budget officer has found.  But wealthier households have seen their purchasing power rise thanks in big part to their investment income. 

Inflation, interest rates eroded Canadians' purchasing power since 2022: PBO report

Rustad's Nuremberg, Nazi comparisons to COVID-19 measures 'regrettable,' says Eby

Rustad's Nuremberg, Nazi comparisons to COVID-19 measures 'regrettable,' says Eby
British Columbia's election campaign was dragged far off course Monday as the two main party leaders were forced to comment about comparisons of the Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals to COVID-19 pandemic health measures. Vandalism at the property of a Vancouver billionaire, who erected a large sign critical of B.C.'s New Democrats, also diverted leaders off their messages.

Rustad's Nuremberg, Nazi comparisons to COVID-19 measures 'regrettable,' says Eby