Sunday, May 10, 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

Inflation's surprise jump could push Bank of Canada to pause rate cuts

Inflation's surprise jump could push Bank of Canada to pause rate cuts
Statistics Canada said Tuesday that the annual rate of inflation accelerated sharply to 2.6 per cent in February as the federal government’s temporary tax break came to an end mid-month.

Inflation's surprise jump could push Bank of Canada to pause rate cuts

Annual inflation rate jumps to 2.6% in February with tax holiday end: StatCan

Annual inflation rate jumps to 2.6% in February with tax holiday end: StatCan
The annual rate of inflation accelerated sharply to 2.6 per cent in February as the federal government’s temporary tax break came to an end mid-month, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. February’s figures are well ahead of the consensus among economists polled by Reuters, which called for 2.2 per cent inflation in the month.

Annual inflation rate jumps to 2.6% in February with tax holiday end: StatCan

Four to be charged after organized crime-related police operation in Kanesatake

Four to be charged after organized crime-related police operation in Kanesatake
Sgt. Marc Tessier says police arrested three men in their forties along with a 31-year-old woman and seized drugs and weapons in Kanesatake, about 40 kilometres northwest of Montreal. Tessier says a fifth person detained by police was released.

Four to be charged after organized crime-related police operation in Kanesatake

Carney announces plans to boost Canada's military footprint in the Arctic

Carney announces plans to boost Canada's military footprint in the Arctic
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa will expand the Canadian Armed Forces’ presence in the Arctic and turn to Australia's over-the-horizon radar tech to monitor threats from adversaries such as China and Russia. Carney is also pledging $253 million in new funding for Indigenous reconciliation initiatives in the North.

Carney announces plans to boost Canada's military footprint in the Arctic

It's not business as usual for Canadians who want to stay in the U.S., lawyers warn

It's not business as usual for Canadians who want to stay in the U.S., lawyers warn
Immigration lawyers say the case of a Vancouver woman detained in the United States over a denied visa is a warning to other Canadians that it's no longer business as usual when crossing the border for work. Jasmine Mooney returned to Vancouver this weekend after she was detained for about 12 days when she tried to cross the border near San Diego, Calif.

It's not business as usual for Canadians who want to stay in the U.S., lawyers warn

Meet the 2025 DARPAN Power Women of Influence Panel

Meet the 2025 DARPAN Power Women of Influence Panel
The Power Women of Influence Gala 2025 comprises of a power-packed panel that includes Roshaneh Zafar, Founder and MD, Kashf Foundation, Farah Mohamed, Senator and social entrepreneur, Belle Puri, CBC journalist, Anoop Virk, TEDx executive producer & award winning Canadian actress Supinder Wraich of CBC's TV show Allegiance. Robin Gill, former Global National reporter and anchor is panel moderator.

Meet the 2025 DARPAN Power Women of Influence Panel