Wednesday, June 24, 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

COVID19 infections back in the fall

COVID19 infections back in the fall
Public health officials say new COVID-19 infections are creeping back up just as the respiratory virus season in the fall and winter is set to get underway. Ottawa is sending a new COVID vaccine out to the provinces and territories, which are in charge of rolling it out to the public.

COVID19 infections back in the fall

Canada Post reviewing use of address data following criticism from privacy watchdog

Canada Post reviewing use of address data following criticism from privacy watchdog
Canada Post said Friday it is reviewing how it uses data for tailored marketing campaigns after the federal privacy watchdog found the post office was breaking the law by gleaning information from the outsides of envelopes and packages. The information is then used to help build marketing lists that Canada Post rents to businesses.  

Canada Post reviewing use of address data following criticism from privacy watchdog

Here's what Canada is pledging in multi-year support for Ukraine, updated trade deal

Here's what Canada is pledging in multi-year support for Ukraine, updated trade deal
The two countries have also signed a modernized trade deal as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the country for the first time since Russia's full-scale assault of Ukraine began last year. The multi-year commitment includes $650 million over three years for 50 armoured vehicles that are to be built in London, Ont.

Here's what Canada is pledging in multi-year support for Ukraine, updated trade deal

Critical incident involving RCMP, B.C. Premier David Eby says

Critical incident involving RCMP, B.C. Premier David Eby says
British Columbia Premier David Eby says there's been a critical incident involving RCMP in the Metro Vancouver suburb of Coquitlam. A witness on the scene says she saw an officer with a bloody leg and a tourniquet above the wound. 

Critical incident involving RCMP, B.C. Premier David Eby says

White House rejects reports of tension with Canada over India interference allegation

White House rejects reports of tension with Canada over India interference allegation
The White House is pushing back against reports that Canada-U.S. relations are straining under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's seismic allegation that the government of India was involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.  National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the U.S. shares Canada's "deep concerns" and denies any suggestion of a wedge between the two countries.   

White House rejects reports of tension with Canada over India interference allegation

First days of autumn expected to be cool and damp over most of British Columbia

First days of autumn expected to be cool and damp over most of British Columbia
Much of British Columbia will welcome the first week of fall with wet, cool conditions after enduring a summer of drought. Autumn officially begins at 11:50 p.m. Pacific time on Friday and Environment Canada forecasts show clouds and showers are expected to sweep across the south coast within hours of the autumnal equinox.

First days of autumn expected to be cool and damp over most of British Columbia