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

Fatal stabbing in Chinatown

Police say they're investigating a fatal stabbing this morning in Vancouver's Chinatown. They say officers responded to a report of a man in medical distress on Union Street just before 3:30 a-m.

Fatal stabbing in Chinatown

Family phone plans hinder escape from domestic violence: Women's Shelters Canada

Women's Shelters Canada is calling on phone companies to adjust how they respond to those escaping from domestic violence, saying the costs of changing a phone number and difficulties leaving a shared plan are key barriers for victims.

Family phone plans hinder escape from domestic violence: Women's Shelters Canada

Cybersecurity standards emerging in Canada as ransomware business booms

The ransomware business is booming in Canada. Recent victims have included large corporations such as retailer London Drugs, as well as the City of Hamilton, Ont., and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Cybersecurity standards emerging in Canada as ransomware business booms

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate for first time in more than four years

The Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate for the first time in more than four years Wednesday, marking a major turning point in its fight against inflation. With the quarter-percentage-point cut, the central bank’s key interest rate now stands at 4.75 per cent.

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate for first time in more than four years

Machete wielding carjacking

A woman has been charged after allegedly stealing a taxi cab while wielding a machete. Victoria police say the woman requested a ride to several places on Friday night and when the cab driver asked her to pay up, she allegedly threatened the driver with a machete and drove off with the taxi.

Machete wielding carjacking

Privacy commissioners investigate B.C. firm that does background checks for landlords

The privacy commissioners of Canada and British Columbia have launched an investigation into a Victoria-based company that performs background checks on tenants and others. They say in a joint statement that Certn is being assessed to make sure it complies with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and B.C.'s Personal Information Protection Act.