Monday, June 29, 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

Man hurt in home invasion dies: Prince George RCMP

Man hurt in home invasion dies: Prince George RCMP
R-C-M-P in Prince George said the man suffered life-threatening injuries during the home invasion on June 19th and a woman who was with him was also severely hurt but is expected to survive.

Man hurt in home invasion dies: Prince George RCMP

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day
“As we celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day, we celebrate Canadians of all backgrounds, and we recommit to fostering an inclusive and welcoming society, where everyone has equal opportunity. Let’s stand together, united in our commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and equity for all.”

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day

Largest grocers making more on food sales: competition watchdog

Largest grocers making more on food sales: competition watchdog
Most Canadians buy groceries in stores owned by a handful of grocery giants, with Canada’s three largest grocers — Loblaws, Sobeys, and Metro — collectively reporting more than $100 billion in sales and $3.6 billion in profits last year, the study found.   

Largest grocers making more on food sales: competition watchdog

Provinces with existing dental coverage got smaller share of federal kids' benefit

Provinces with existing dental coverage got smaller share of federal kids' benefit
Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Yukon all cover at least basic dental care for children — and received less funding than the national average. The only other provinces to fall below the national average were British Columbia and New Brunswick.

Provinces with existing dental coverage got smaller share of federal kids' benefit

Infrastructure at centre of Western Canada premiers' meeting in Whistler, B.C.

Infrastructure at centre of Western Canada premiers' meeting in Whistler, B.C.
Host Premier David Eby says he and his counterparts from western provinces and territories agree on calling on the federal government to boost infrastructure funding, given the increased stresses on transportation grids across Western Canada.

Infrastructure at centre of Western Canada premiers' meeting in Whistler, B.C.

Faith of Canadians in Biden, U.S. slipped in the spring, Pew survey suggests

Faith of Canadians in Biden, U.S. slipped in the spring, Pew survey suggests
But there are clear signs — both in Canada and around the world — that early into his third year as the 46th U.S. president, the global euphoria that greeted Joe Biden's election win in 2020 has drifted from optimism to apprehension. 

Faith of Canadians in Biden, U.S. slipped in the spring, Pew survey suggests