Sunday, July 5, 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

Encrypted online drug trafficking on the rise

Encrypted online drug trafficking on the rise
The study showed almost 17 tonnes of drug products were trafficked for $234.7 million in eight markets, with the most popular drugs being stimulants, cannabis, opioids and benzodiazepines.

Encrypted online drug trafficking on the rise

B.C. Liberals set to change name to B.C. United

B.C. Liberals set to change name to B.C. United
The party announced in November that 80 per cent of Liberal members voted to proceed with the name change to BC United. Falcon, who was elected leader last year, said that reconsidering the party name was a priority during his leadership campaign where he promised full-scale renewal.

B.C. Liberals set to change name to B.C. United

Canada to wait for U.S. leak investigation: expert

Canada to wait for U.S. leak investigation: expert
The documents posted online are labelled secret and contain what appear to be details on weapons and equipment shipments to Ukraine, but they also contain apparent inaccuracies that have some questioning their authenticity, or whether they were altered.

Canada to wait for U.S. leak investigation: expert

Surrey RCMP looking for a suspect for mischief to the Cenotaph outside the Surrey Museum

Surrey RCMP looking for a suspect for mischief to the Cenotaph outside the Surrey Museum
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 30-35 years old, medium build, approximately 170 lbs, with brown shoulder length hair, brown goatee beard and wearing prescription glasses.  He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a blue shirt underneath, black pants, white runners with blue shoe laces.

Surrey RCMP looking for a suspect for mischief to the Cenotaph outside the Surrey Museum

Students eager for financial assistance review

Students eager for financial assistance review
For the 2023-24 school year, the Liberals are planning to increase the maximum grants available to $4,200, up from $3,000. The loan limit is also increasing $300 per week of study from $210.    

Students eager for financial assistance review

High court won't hear private health challenge

High court won't hear private health challenge
Dr. Brian Day is CEO of the Cambie Surgery Centre, which, along with a handful of patients, has spent more than a decade in court challenging the British Columbia Medicare Protection Act, which bans extra-billing and private insurance for medically necessary procedures.

High court won't hear private health challenge