Tuesday, June 30, 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

Burnaby's SFU campus behind picket lines

Burnaby's SFU campus behind picket lines
A statement on the S-F-U website says pickets were at several locations and it advised students with classes or labs in any of the affected buildings to check with their instructors or teaching assistants about possible disruptions.

Burnaby's SFU campus behind picket lines

Trans-Canada Highway closed, crews respond to crash in western Manitoba

Trans-Canada Highway closed, crews respond to crash in western Manitoba
RCMP have posted on social media that they are on the scene of a very serious collision near the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 5. The STARS air ambulance service says it has been dispatched to the scene.

Trans-Canada Highway closed, crews respond to crash in western Manitoba

Drop in housing starts in Vancouver

Drop in housing starts in Vancouver
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says housing starts in Vancouver tumbled 45 per cent in May. The drop covered all types of projects -- from apartments and condos to other kinds of multi-unit developments -- and the trend was reflected in Montreal, where starts were off 35 per cent, and in Toronto, where starts fell 28 per cent.

Drop in housing starts in Vancouver

Ottawa confirms land expropriations for rail bypass after Lac-Mégantic tragedy

Ottawa confirms land expropriations for rail bypass after Lac-Mégantic tragedy
Ottawa released a statement Wednesday confirming that it was going ahead with the expropriations without the consent of all affected land owners. Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek say in the release that the federal government will take physical possession of the parcels of land required for the project on Aug. 1.  

Ottawa confirms land expropriations for rail bypass after Lac-Mégantic tragedy

Ottawa boosts Haiti sanctions, police funding during summit aimed at resolving crisis

Ottawa boosts Haiti sanctions, police funding during summit aimed at resolving crisis
Ottawa is also adding $13 million to its funding for law enforcement, as Canada and the U.S. focus on shoring up the work of the Haitian National Police as they try to stop gangs from committing brazen acts of violence and controlling critical infrastructure.

Ottawa boosts Haiti sanctions, police funding during summit aimed at resolving crisis

Man finds metal bolt in McDonald's meal

Man finds metal bolt in McDonald's meal
A man is suing a fast-food restaurant in B-C after allegedly finding a metal bolt in his meal. Court documents say carpenter Roman Chromy was eating at a New Westminster McDonald's where he bought the allegedly contaminated food.

Man finds metal bolt in McDonald's meal