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

Canada Revenue Agency fires 330 employees over CERB claims during pandemic

The Canada Revenue Agency says it has terminated 330 employees for inappropriately receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit during the pandemic, giving its final update on an internal review.

Canada Revenue Agency fires 330 employees over CERB claims during pandemic

Man with prior assault convictions charged in Vancouver tourist beating

Police say a man has been charged with aggravated assault and remains in custody after an unprovoked attack on a woman who was visiting Vancouver. Vancouver police say the 35-year-old victim was walking near the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday when she was assaulted.

Man with prior assault convictions charged in Vancouver tourist beating

Focus on vulnerable communities, improve data sharing before next pandemic: report

An expert panel of doctors and researchers say Canada needs to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and take action before the next health emergency strikes. One of the six experts, Dr. Fahad Razak, says most scientists believe it's "only a matter of time" before another global health crisis hits.

Focus on vulnerable communities, improve data sharing before next pandemic: report

Statistics Canada says levels of food insecurity rose in 2022

Statistics Canada says the level of food insecurity increased in 2022 as inflation hit peak levels. In a report using data from the Canadian community health survey, the agency says 15.6 per cent of households experienced some level of food insecurity in 2022 after being relatively stable from 2017 to 2021.

Statistics Canada says levels of food insecurity rose in 2022

Trudeau says he has list of Conservatives vulnerable to foreign interference

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has refused to get the security clearance necessary to be briefed on a list of people in his party who are vulnerable to foreign interference. Trudeau told a public inquiry today he has directed Canada's spy service to inform Poilievre of the information so he can make decisions to protect the integrity of his party.

Trudeau says he has list of Conservatives vulnerable to foreign interference

U.K. calls for India co-operation in probe, analyst warns allies might limit response

The British government says India should co-operate with Canada's investigation into accusations that New Delhi has been involved in an escalating number of violent crimes in Canada, as an analyst warns that strategic interests might limit how allies respond to the bombshell claims. Meanwhile, members of Parliament are likely to look into how Ottawa can best respond to the allegations, with the four major political parties requesting an emergency meeting.