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

B.C. addictions doctor resigns, placed on leave over unsanctioned overdose sites

A Vancouver Island doctor involved in setting up unsanctioned overdose prevention sites has resigned from her positions with Island Health, claiming she was placed on leave as punishment for her public advocacy work. Dr. Jess Wilder, a co-founder of the group Doctors for Safer Drug Policy, says in a resignation letter dated Feb. 5 that she's leaving her positions with Island Health "immediately."

B.C. addictions doctor resigns, placed on leave over unsanctioned overdose sites

Canadian pride is on the rise in wake of Trump's tariff threat - especially in Quebec

Two new polls suggest Quebecers are feeling pretty good about their relationship with Canada these days. Between December and February, the share of Quebecers who said they were "very proud" or "proud" to be Canadian increased 13 points from 45 per cent to 58 per cent, according to an Angus Reid poll conducted online Sunday and Monday.

Canadian pride is on the rise in wake of Trump's tariff threat - especially in Quebec

Police seek suspect in alleged Canada-wide romance scam that cost victims $275k

Police in Ontario say they are looking for a man who is alleged to have swindled nearly a dozen victims across Canada in a romance scam. Peel Regional Police say 11 victims from Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan lost a total of $275,000 in the alleged scam.

Police seek suspect in alleged Canada-wide romance scam that cost victims $275k

Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould says party made it 'hard' to run

Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould says her campaign is doing everything it can to remain in the race, despite not having deep pockets like her main rivals. Candidates have to pay a $125,000 fee by Friday to remain in the race, and a total entry fee of $350,000.

Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould says party made it 'hard' to run

Listing crime cartels as terrorists would help in fentanyl fight: RCMP commissioner

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says he welcomes a federal plan to list organized crime cartels as terrorist entities to fight fentanyl trafficking. In an interview, Duheme says listing criminal organizations would give the Mounties more tools to pursue charges and enforce the law.

Listing crime cartels as terrorists would help in fentanyl fight: RCMP commissioner

Amid U.S. tariff threats, a fight may be brewing over Canadian supply management

The federal government and the Canadian dairy industry are vowing to protect the country’s supply management system in the face of threats from the United States. But some observers, and even some who work in the industry, say Canada will have to consider changes to the decades-old system that controls the supply of dairy products to appease a combative Trump administration.