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

Educators 'heartened' as B.C. and Ontario mandate Holocaust education

Educators 'heartened' as B.C. and Ontario mandate Holocaust education
To combat rising antisemitism, both British Columbia and Ontario announced this week that they would introduce mandatory Holocaust education for high school students, teaching them of the murder of six million Jews and others during the Second World War by Nazi Germany.  Holocaust educators are applauding the move. 

Educators 'heartened' as B.C. and Ontario mandate Holocaust education

Minister promises changes to temporary visas, but no 'draconian actions'

Minister promises changes to temporary visas, but no 'draconian actions'
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he plans to recalibrate the number of people who come to Canada temporarily to make sure the program is sustainable, but details about what measures the government is considering remain unclear. Miller announced his intentions after he tabled the immigration targets for permanent residents Wednesday afternoon.

Minister promises changes to temporary visas, but no 'draconian actions'

Housing supply still outpacing demand in Vancouver market as sales increase

Housing supply still outpacing demand in Vancouver market as sales increase
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says the region continues to see an increase in newly listed properties, but sales still lag behind long-term trends. The board says October home sales totalled 1,996, a 3.7 per cent increase from the 1,924 sales recorded the same month last year. But the total was 29.5 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average of 2,832 for October.

Housing supply still outpacing demand in Vancouver market as sales increase

B.C. warns drivers of snow and possible freezing rain in southern Interior

B.C. warns drivers of snow and possible freezing rain in southern Interior
The British Columbia government is warning drivers about a storm bringing snow and possibly freezing rain as it bears down on the province's southern Interior. A statement from the Ministry of Transportation says wintry conditions are expected to last until Thursday afternoon, when a transition to rain is forecast.  

B.C. warns drivers of snow and possible freezing rain in southern Interior

B.C. set to table housing law requiring small-scale and multi-unit zoning

B.C. set to table housing law requiring small-scale and multi-unit zoning
The new law would require local governments to update zoning bylaws to permit multi-unit buildings on lots typically used for single-family detached homes. Cities are to allow at least three units on lots up to 280 square metres in size, while at least four units are to be permitted on larger lots, and at least six units will be allowed on larger lots that are close to transit stops with frequent service.

B.C. set to table housing law requiring small-scale and multi-unit zoning

Raid on retail outlets: VPD

Raid on retail outlets: VPD
Vancouver police have conducted a series of raids of retail outlets as part of an investigation into the illegal sale of illicit psychedelic drugs including psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms. Officers searched three storefronts in Marpole, Mount Pleasant, and Strathcona, seizing a variety of controlled substances police believe were being bought and sold in bulk quantities to walk-in customers.

Raid on retail outlets: VPD