National

Smith, Alberta Next panel begin town hall series to hear grievances about Ottawa

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Jul, 2025 11:05 AM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and a hand-picked panel are set to hold the first in a series of town halls to address public concerns with the federal government.

Some 650 people are expected at today's event in Red Deer as Smith and the 15 other members of the Alberta Next panel hear about grievances inspiring separatist sentiment in the province.

The government is dedicating time at the event to several strategies it's pitching to wrest more control from the federal government, including pulling out of the Canada Pension Plan and withholding social services from some immigrants.

There will also be an open question-and-answer period.

Smith and panel members are set to hear feedback in Edmonton on Wednesday.

The premier has said the panel will recommend ideas and policy proposals for a referendum after the town halls wrap up in October.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Poilievre promises a military base in Iqaluit, would cut foreign aid to pay for it

A Conservative government would built a permanent military base in Nunavut and pay for it by "dramatically cutting" Canada's foreign aid budget, Leader Pierre Poilievre said Monday in Iqaluit. Speaking at a press conference Poilievre said CFB Iqaluit would serve as a base for Royal Canadian Air Force operations defending Canada's Arctic and for search and rescue missions.

Poilievre promises a military base in Iqaluit, would cut foreign aid to pay for it

Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming Monday for steel and aluminum imports

U.S. President Donald Trump said he'll impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States on Monday — and there will be no carve-outs for America's closest neighbours. Trump told reporters about the impending duties on Air Force 1 as he flew to New Orleans to attend Sunday's Super Bowl. The president also said he would announce "reciprocal tariffs" later this week.

Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming Monday for steel and aluminum imports

AI shouldn’t only benefit ultra-wealthy 'oligarchs,' Trudeau tells global AI summit

The world needs regulation to ensure the benefits of artificial intelligence aren't only enjoyed by extremely wealthy "oligarchs", Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a speech Monday at a global conference on AI. Trudeau said that the goal isn’t to stop progress but the technology needs guardrails, transparency and accountability.

AI shouldn’t only benefit ultra-wealthy 'oligarchs,' Trudeau tells global AI summit

Justice Minister Arif Virani won't run in next election

Justice Minister Arif Virani says he won't be running in the coming federal election. Virani says in a social media post that the past decade in public office has taken a toll on his family life.

Justice Minister Arif Virani won't run in next election

RCMP's First Turbaned Officer Baltej Dhillon Among Three Newly Appointed Senators

The Prime Minister's Office says in a news release that the Governor General has appointed Baltej Dhillon for British Columbia, Martine Hébert for Quebec and Todd Lewis for Saskatchewan.

RCMP's First Turbaned Officer Baltej Dhillon Among Three Newly Appointed Senators

B.C. judge tosses drug evidence for 'numerous and flagrant' rights violations

The court issued two rulings on evidence collected by Vernon Mounties in a case against Nabil Abdelkader, who police believed was in the drug trade after finding methamphetamine and cocaine in a jeep they searched in October 2020.