Friday, July 3, 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

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP
RCMP in B-C says one person is facing seven gun-related charges, including possession of a loaded firearm and careless storage of a firearm after the search. Police say drug-related charges are pending and the suspect has been released on bail.

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP

Delta Police investigate home invasion

Delta Police investigate home invasion
The Delta Police Department says officers responded to a call on Friday in the 43-hundred block of Cormorant Drive in Tsawwessen. Two people who had been assaulted during the home invasion were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Delta Police investigate home invasion

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid
On Saturday, at 10:28 p.m., police received a report of a stabbing at Surrey Memorial Hospital. The initial report indicated that two people had sustained injuries and the suspect was being detained by hospital security.

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh
The province's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 33-year-old Kimberley Buitenweg and 44-year-old Joseph McWilliam were arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Surinderjit “Jack” Singh. 

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh

Several heat records broken over weekend as B.C. gripped by heat, fire, flood risk

Several heat records broken over weekend as B.C. gripped by heat, fire, flood risk
The warning from Environment Canada says a plume of hot air is to remain in place over the area through Thursday, bringing daytime highs to near 30 C and overnight lows near 15 C. Much of the rest of the province's coastal and interior regions remain under special weather statements related to persistent heat that saw temperatures soar above 30 C in many communities on the weekend

Several heat records broken over weekend as B.C. gripped by heat, fire, flood risk

B.C. police watchdog deployed to Vancouver Island after incident in Duncan

B.C. police watchdog deployed to Vancouver Island after incident in Duncan
The man appears to be checking something in the back seat of the black SUV, before turning toward one of two approaching officers. The officer appears to fire a single shot, and the man falls to the ground and begins to turn over before the video ends.

B.C. police watchdog deployed to Vancouver Island after incident in Duncan