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

Home sales strong in May

Home sales strong in May
A statement from the association says nearly 92-hundred sales were recorded around B-C in May -- up nearly 10 per cent year-over-year -- while the average price climbed three per cent during the same period, to just over one-million dollars.

Home sales strong in May

BC Greens leader wants change in health care

BC Greens leader wants change in health care
Furstenau says the N-D-P government should start by reforming health-care leadership, bureaucracy, measurable patient outcomes and even how the province's health authorities spend their money.  

BC Greens leader wants change in health care

B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments

B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments
A statement from the Health Ministry says B-C will now provide universal coverage for eligible drugs -- which include methadone -- that are rated as opioid agonist treatment medications.

B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments

B.C. border agents find 6,300 kg of meth, including largest single seizure to date

B.C. border agents find 6,300 kg of meth, including largest single seizure to date
In December of last year, agents in Burnaby found 40 jugs containing just over 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and a month later 180 containers with 2,900 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine were seized coming through the container examination facility in Delta. 

B.C. border agents find 6,300 kg of meth, including largest single seizure to date

Deportations for international students caught in fraud scheme put on hold

Deportations for international students caught in fraud scheme put on hold
Hundreds of students might have been affected by the scheme, which saw immigration agents issue fake acceptance letters to get international students into Canada. Some students had no idea their documents were forged until it came time for them apply for permanent residency.  

Deportations for international students caught in fraud scheme put on hold

Chilliwack hosts vegan festival

Chilliwack hosts vegan festival
Normally known for its dairy and animal agriculture products, Chilliwack is hosting its first ever vegan food festival. The festival is hosted by local grocery store The Veganist for its one-year anniversary since opening, and co-founder Logan Bryan says vegan products have been welcomed by the majority of the community.

Chilliwack hosts vegan festival