Monday, June 22, 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

Highways prepared for extreme weather 'new normal,' says B.C. transportation minister

Highways prepared for extreme weather 'new normal,' says B.C. transportation minister
British Columbia's transportation minister says 130 kilometres of highway that was severely damaged by flooding two years ago is now more resilient to extreme weather. Rob Fleming says the stretch of the Coquihalla Highway, or Highway 5, between Hope and Merritt, B.C., is an example of a "new normal" for how infrastructure needs to be built.

Highways prepared for extreme weather 'new normal,' says B.C. transportation minister

Two more Canadians leave Gaza Strip, as Freeland calls situation 'heartbreaking'

Two more Canadians leave Gaza Strip, as Freeland calls situation 'heartbreaking'
Two more people with ties to Canada left the Gaza Strip for Egypt today, as hundreds seek to flee a worsening humanitarian situation in the besieged Palestinian territory. Global Affairs Canada says it has helped 358 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their relatives exit the war-torn territory, while another nine have managed to get out through other means.

Two more Canadians leave Gaza Strip, as Freeland calls situation 'heartbreaking'

Notorious clubhouse owned by Nanaimo, B.C., Hells Angels being demolished: Farnworth

Notorious clubhouse owned by Nanaimo, B.C., Hells Angels being demolished: Farnworth
A clubhouse that once belonged to a Vancouver Island chapter of the Hells Angels is being demolished, just weeks after a court ruling confirmed the B.C. government has the right to seize the property. Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general, says in a statement that the clubhouse in Nanaimo is coming down immediately.

Notorious clubhouse owned by Nanaimo, B.C., Hells Angels being demolished: Farnworth

Wreckage of plane discovered near Kamloops

Wreckage of plane discovered near Kamloops
The wreckage of a plane that authorities believe is decades old has been found south of Kamloops, B.C.  The Transportation Safety Board says in a statement that it was made aware of the wreck and investigators have been in contact with Kamloops RCMP. 

Wreckage of plane discovered near Kamloops

Prime Minister's Office gives mandate letters to two ministers, months after shuffle

Prime Minister's Office gives mandate letters to two ministers, months after shuffle
The letters for the ministers in charge of the newly minted citizens' services and sport and physical activity portfolios were posted online earlier this week, and serve as a guide to what the prime minister wants them to accomplish.  

Prime Minister's Office gives mandate letters to two ministers, months after shuffle

Poll suggests widespread dissatisfaction with Trudeau government

Poll suggests widespread dissatisfaction with Trudeau government
Almost two in three Canadians have a negative impression of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and half want him to resign before the next election, a new survey suggests. While affordability, housing and public debt are higher on the reasons people want Trudeau to go, one in five people surveyed said they want him to resign simply because they are "just tired of him."

Poll suggests widespread dissatisfaction with Trudeau government