Wednesday, June 17, 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

BC snowpack 40% below normal

BC snowpack 40% below normal
B.C. went on to experience deep and prolonged drought after a record-breaking heat wave in May spurred rapid melting and drying. Then came the province's devastating fire season. Thursday's bulletin says the low snowpack combined with warm seasonal forecasts and "lingering impacts" from the previous drought are creating "significantly elevated drought hazards" for 2024.

BC snowpack 40% below normal

Non-profit buys two B.C. co-ops

Non-profit buys two B.C. co-ops
Premier David Eby says the first purchase using the government's Rental Protection Fund will save 290 affordable rental units in two housing co-ops that have expired leases and were facing the prospect of being sold out from under the residents. Eby says the government's fund will contribute $71 million towards the $125 million acquisition in the Metro Vancouver city of Coquitlam by the non-profit Community Land Trust of B.C.

Non-profit buys two B.C. co-ops

Dental providers aren't smiling about reimbursement under federal plan

Dental providers aren't smiling about reimbursement under federal plan
Some dentists and hygienists fear they won't be fairly paid for services under a new federal dental plan, and they worry it will jeopardize the success of the massive program. Each province and territory has its own guide to how much dental services cost.

Dental providers aren't smiling about reimbursement under federal plan

Home builders group pushing for 30-year mortgages to boost construction in Canada

Home builders group pushing for 30-year mortgages to boost construction in Canada
The group that represents residential builders in Canada wants Ottawa to offer a 30-year amortization period for insured mortgages on new homes. The Canadian Home Builders' Association says extending the period an additional five years would help with affordability and spur more construction. 

Home builders group pushing for 30-year mortgages to boost construction in Canada

Joly urges more funding to hire Canadian diplomats, amid Liberal cutbacks on spending

Joly urges more funding to hire Canadian diplomats, amid Liberal cutbacks on spending
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is asking MPs to support more funding for Global Affairs Canada, despite the Liberals undertaking cutbacks across the government. Joly says that the United States, France and rapidly developing countries are staffing up to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world.   

Joly urges more funding to hire Canadian diplomats, amid Liberal cutbacks on spending

Global Affairs Canada 'aware of reports' of missing Canadian in Gaza Strip

Global Affairs Canada 'aware of reports' of missing Canadian in Gaza Strip
Ottawa says it is aware of reports that another Canadian citizen has gone missing in the Gaza Strip. Global Affairs Canada says it is providing consular assistance to the family but can't share more because of privacy considerations.   

Global Affairs Canada 'aware of reports' of missing Canadian in Gaza Strip