The Alberta Next panel, overseen by Premier Danielle Smith, is organizing town halls this summer to gather opinions on how the province can assert itself against Ottawa while fostering a “strong and sovereign Alberta within Canada.”
Smith has pledged to hold a referendum next year regarding some proposals made to the panel.
The premier is at the helm of the 15-member panel, which includes three United Conservative Party members: Brandon Lunty, Glenn van Dijken, and the newest MLA, Tara Sawyer, who secured a byelection victory on Monday.
Joining the panel are Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz, two oil and gas executives, and Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge. Other members include retired judge Bruce McDonald, emergency physician Dr. Akin Osakuade, and economist Trevor Tombe from the University of Calgary.
Smith stated that, following 10 town halls planned from July to late September, the panel would recommend ideas and policy proposals for a referendum.
The panel’s website was launched on Tuesday featuring surveys covering six topics. Participants must view a short video before answering survey questions.
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Some of the survey questions include:
“Should the provincial government deny provincial services to non-citizens and non-permanent residents in Alberta unless they hold an Alberta government-approved immigration permit?”
“Should Alberta lead efforts alongside other provinces to urge the federal government to amend the Canadian constitution to better empower and protect provincial rights?”
“Do you believe the current federal transfer and equalization system is unjust towards Alberta?”
“Should Alberta collaborate with other provinces to shift a larger portion of overall taxes from Ottawa to the provinces?”
“What do you appreciate most about an Alberta Police Service?”
“What worries you the most about transitioning from the RCMP to an Alberta Police Service?”
“What do you consider the biggest advantage of Alberta withdrawing from the CPP to establish its own Pension Plan?”
“What risks concern you most about Alberta opting out of the CPP to create a Pension Plan?”
There were some issues with displaying questions on the survey page Tuesday afternoon, but a preliminary video poses the question of whether Albertans would support the establishment of a provincial revenue agency.
The video highlights that this initiative would necessitate hiring 5,000 employees, cost Alberta at least $750 million annually, and require residents to file provincial and federal taxes separately — yet it would also generate jobs and grant Alberta more control over its tax system.
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