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

Conservatives hold onto Windsor riding by four votes after recount

Conservatives hold onto Windsor riding by four votes after recount
Conservative Kathy Borrelli has won the Ontario riding of Windsor—Tecumseh—Lake Shore after a judicial recount confirmed her victory today by just four votes

Conservatives hold onto Windsor riding by four votes after recount

Canadians' future at Harvard in question after Trump bans international students

Canadians' future at Harvard in question after Trump bans international students
Hundreds of Canadians could potentially be caught up in the fight between President Donald Trump and prestigious Harvard University over international student enrollment.

Canadians' future at Harvard in question after Trump bans international students

Judge in hockey players' trial rules ex-teammate's texts not currently admissible

Judge in hockey players' trial rules ex-teammate's texts not currently admissible
Texts sent by a former member of Canada's world junior hockey team cannot currently be admitted at the sexual assault trial of five of his ex-teammates, an Ontario judge ruled Friday, prompting prosecutors to seek a different route to introduce the messages as evidence.

Judge in hockey players' trial rules ex-teammate's texts not currently admissible

Several MPs make pitches to colleagues to become next Speaker of the House of Commons

Several MPs make pitches to colleagues to become next Speaker of the House of Commons
At least six members of Parliament are asking their colleagues to support their bid to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons, including the last man to hold that job, Greg Fergus.

Several MPs make pitches to colleagues to become next Speaker of the House of Commons

New federal energy minister tells oil and gas executives it was some for quick wins

New federal energy minister tells oil and gas executives it was some for quick wins
Canada's new energy minister walked into the lion's den in Calgary and spoke to oil and gas executives about Ottawa's plans to turn the country into an energy superpower.

New federal energy minister tells oil and gas executives it was some for quick wins

Poilievre names 48 Conservative MPs as critics, announces House leadership team

Poilievre names 48 Conservative MPs as critics, announces House leadership team
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has named 73 MPs to his party's leadership team and critic roles ahead of next week's return to the House of Commons.

Poilievre names 48 Conservative MPs as critics, announces House leadership team