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

RCMP in Northwest Territories believe fatal shooting tied to illicit drug trade

RCMP in Northwest Territories believe fatal shooting tied to illicit drug trade
RCMP say the illicit drug trade could be tied to a shooting that killed one and injured two others in the Northwest Territories over the weekend. Officers were called to a home early Saturday morning in the hamlet of Fort Providence, where they found one person dead and two others injured.

RCMP in Northwest Territories believe fatal shooting tied to illicit drug trade

Ayurvedic medicine tainted with heavy metals in B.C., linked to lead poisoning case

Ayurvedic medicine tainted with heavy metals in B.C., linked to lead poisoning case
Fraser Health says a case of lead poisoning in Surrey has been connected to unauthorized Ayurvedic alternative medicine, prompting a warning about the products being sold at a grocery store in the city. The health authority says the products that were sold at the All in One Wholesale Cash and Carry on 85th Ave. potentially contain heavy metals including mercury, lead and arsenic. 

Ayurvedic medicine tainted with heavy metals in B.C., linked to lead poisoning case

B.C. resident returns library book 64 years later, credits it for saving lives

B.C. resident returns library book 64 years later, credits it for saving lives
An 83-year-old British Columbia man has returned a book to the University of B.C. Library 64 years late, but he had a good excuse. Librarian Susan Parker received a package from Robert Murray in the mail with the book, a $100 cheque for late fees and an explanation. 

B.C. resident returns library book 64 years later, credits it for saving lives

Carney says U.S. must stop 'disrespectful' comments before trade talks take place

Carney says U.S. must stop 'disrespectful' comments before trade talks take place
Prime Minister Mark Carney says United States President Donald Trump will have to stop his "disrespectful" comments about Canada before any bilateral conversations take place. Carney says Canada wants to have a "more comprehensive discussion" with the Trump administration about the overall commercial and security relationship.

Carney says U.S. must stop 'disrespectful' comments before trade talks take place

AHS confirms cases of measles in Edmonton, public exposure possible in two locations

AHS confirms cases of measles in Edmonton, public exposure possible in two locations
Alberta Health Services says it has confirmed multiple cases of measles in the Edmonton area. An advisory issued by the health authority Sunday warns that public exposure to the highly contagious disease may have occurred at two Edmonton locations last week.

AHS confirms cases of measles in Edmonton, public exposure possible in two locations

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney to be featured on Canada Post stamp

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney to be featured on Canada Post stamp
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney will be featured on a stamp as part of Canada Post's 2025 lineup. Mulroney, who died last year, served as prime minister from 1984 to 1993.

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney to be featured on Canada Post stamp