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

Edmonton school board, union for support staff head back to bargaining table

The union representing school support workers in Edmonton says it has returned to the bargaining table with the city's public school board. Some 3,000 staff, from educational assistants to cafeteria workers, have been on picket lines since Jan. 13 over a wage dispute with the Edmonton Public School Board.

Edmonton school board, union for support staff head back to bargaining table

Escaped prison inmate arrested in Saskatchewan after three weeks

RCMP say an inmate has been arrested three weeks after he escaped from a federal prison in Saskatchewan. Mounties say they were searching for Glen Halkett in the Rosthern, Sask., area and spotted him as a passenger in a vehicle with three others.

Escaped prison inmate arrested in Saskatchewan after three weeks

Six migrants found crossing border on foot in freezing temperatures: Manitoba RCMP

Mounties in Manitoba say six people from multiple countries were caught last week trying to illegally cross into Canada from the United States. Police say the group was spotted from the air crossing the border on foot near Emerson on Jan. 14.

Six migrants found crossing border on foot in freezing temperatures: Manitoba RCMP

Vancouver mayor proposes pause on new supportive housing in Downtown Eastside

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has unveiled a plan to revitalize the city's troubled Downtown Eastside, including pausing the construction of net new supportive housing units. Sim told a Save Our Streets forum, held by a coalition of groups concerned about crime and public safety in B.C., that the proposal is one of three key policy shifts being planned to transform the Downtown Eastside.

Vancouver mayor proposes pause on new supportive housing in Downtown Eastside

U.S. tariff threat adds urgency for B.C.'s energy independence: minister

British Columbia Energy Minister Adrian Dix says the looming threat of American tariffs raises the stakes for boosting the province's energy independence. Dix says there was urgency before the U.S. election last November, but "there's more now" as American President Donald Trump threatens to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

U.S. tariff threat adds urgency for B.C.'s energy independence: minister

Victoria garbage truck driver delivers fire to fire department

The driver of a garbage truck in Victoria is being hailed for his quick thinking when he saw smoke coming from the back compartment. The Victoria Firefighters Association posted its praise on social media saying the driver called 911 when he saw the smoke — then drove straight to the firehall.