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Global News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
‘Bratty children': Alberta's Smith faces criticism, anger at Edmonton panel town hall
After receiving a warm welcome and widespread support just 24 hours earlier, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith faced a more vocally critical and frustrated crowd as she and her hand-picked panel members assembled in Edmonton for the second of a series of summer town halls. 'We sound like bratty children,' said Roberta Stasyk, a resident of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., who was one of many speakers who showed up to voice their frustration. Smith launched the panel to address public concerns over Prime Minister Mark Carney's election win — concerns that have pushed some to want Alberta to separate from Confederation. The premier's staff said some 500 people attended the Edmonton town hall on Wednesday. Unlike in Red Deer the night before, at least one-third of the Edmonton crowd was there to challenge Smith and the other 15 panel members on topics like creating a provincial police force, amending the constitution, and taking greater control over immigration. Story continues below advertisement Creating a provincial pension plan was a hot-button issue, with most of those who stood up to share their opinion saying Smith needed to drop the idea once and for all. Stasyk called it a 'horrible idea,' while others challenged the benefits touted in a government-produced video that played before the topic was discussed. 'A much smaller jurisdiction… would make it much more liable to the ups and downs of the market, for one thing,' said Hans Smit, a professor emeritus from the University of Calgary, who also asked the panel for a guarantee that a provincial pension plan wouldn't be used for ideological means. Another speaker, who only identified himself as Todd, told the panel that at the end of the day, he just wanted a pension, but he didn't trust Smith's government to manage it. 'I can stick with the (Canadian Pension Plan), which is one of the most effective things in the world, or I can gamble with you idiots.' 1:56 Alberta Next Panel kicks off in Red Deer, second event held in Edmonton While the majority of speakers who lined up to discuss pension plans said they wanted to maintain the status quo, a show of hands showed the majority of the crowd was in favour. Story continues below advertisement The same occurred when the idea of a provincial police force came up — many spoke against it, but a show of hands had those in favour in a clear majority. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The divide in the room was clear, with attendees competing at every chance to make sure their boo's or cheers came out on top. While it was less of a regular occurrence than Tuesday's town hall in Red Deer, some speakers in Edmonton did use the opportunity to push for separation. 'Alberta's grievances with Ottawa predate our becoming a province,' said one speaker, Cathy. 'Let's just move forward with a referendum on independence, force that constitution open, and see where those talks take us.' Other Alberta independence supporters gathered outside, making sure those who attended saw a large 'Alberta Sovereignty Now' banner as they walked to their cars. 2:01 Alberta Next survey asks if province should withhold social services for some immigrants Also in the parking lot were two protesters, one holding a sign saying 'I love (U.S. President Donald) Trump' and wearing a large papier mache head that was a caricature of Smith. Story continues below advertisement Back inside the Edmonton hotel ballroom where the town hall took place, Smith, at times, was forced to defend the topics her panel was assembled to discuss. One proposal, that Alberta create its own immigration permitting system and cut off immigrants not approved under the system from health care and other provincially-run services, led a speaker to ask why the premier was 'punching down on immigrants.' Related News Alberta Next Panel kicks off in Red Deer, second event held in Edmonton Smith quickly spoke up to say that wasn't the case, adding that her government was just trying to find a solution to high housing costs and 'increasing pressure on our social programs.' 'There has to be a reasonable amount of newcomers that are able to come here, fit into the economy, be able to be self-supporting,' Smith said. 'That is, I think, a bit high at the moment.' Jennifer Long, an anthropology professor at MacEwan University in Edmonton, challenged the premier, saying she and the panel were giving more 'fodder' to issues that are already dividing Albertans. 'If we're worried about having affordable housing, why aren't we putting more policies to make landlords who own empty houses to make them come on the market?' Long said. Earlier in the day, Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi told reporters in Red Deer that the premier's panel was conjuring up unreliable data to support things her government already wants to do. Story continues below advertisement 'What a debacle. This thing is such a sham,' Nenshi said. Smith's panel will return to Edmonton for the third of 10 in-person town halls next month, with other dates set for Fort McMurray and Lloydminster later in August.
Winnipeg Free Press
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
A chance to reform Canadian elections
Opinion As a person who doesn't ever feel represented by any of Canada's major political parties, or its system of governance at all for that matter, the election's results were about as auspicious as I could hope for given the landscape. Some may believe that a majority government is crucial in a time of crisis, so that a single party with a singular vision can lead with a strong mandate. And in some cases that might be true. But the crisis we face now is not some catastrophe of nature or geopolitical adversary. Well, actually it is both of those things, but neither are the true root of the problem which we need to address. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Prime Minister Mark Carney's minority government has an opportunity to start the electoral reform Justin Trudeau promised and didn't deliver. What we really need are bold initiatives that address the material conditions which have not only created the problems of climate change and burgeoning fascism, but also fundamental changes to the institutions which have inhibited us from meaningfully addressing these problems thus far. The problem with majority governments, at least those formed by political parties fully invested in our neoliberal marriage between the political and corporate spheres, is that we cannot expect such revolutionary policy from them. Majority governments often become enamoured with the status quo, unwilling to disturb the social foundations that handed them their power. But minority governments are often forced to govern boldly to earn their legitimacy. Historically, minority governments have given Canada some of the most significant contributions to our vaunted social safety net. It was a minority Liberal government under Lester B. Pearson which laid the groundwork for our current system of universal health care, modern social welfare and the Canadian Pension Plan, all accomplished in co-operation with the NDP. More recently, we can point to the burgeoning pharmacare and dental plans that the Liberals have been quick to claim credit for, even if they had no such plans until they became a minority and were susceptible to prodding from the NDP. And if we look to many countries in Europe, minority governments are the norm, and they are a model of pluralism compared to, say for example, the stagnant polarization we see south of the border. I do hope that the NDP takes this opportunity to extract some progressive pledges from Mark Carney's Liberal minority, because the social safety net these parties helped build has been allowed to decay (or perhaps been purposefully gutted) these pasts decades. Carney's feet should also be held to the fire on wealth inequality and climate change, two issues that were sorely lacking from this election's discourse. But there is another issue that it is the perfect time for the NDP to act upon. Justin Trudeau dangled the idea of electoral reform in his first campaign, only to promptly shunt the idea aside after sweeping into a majority government. A shining example of a politician suddenly becoming enamoured with the system which delivered them newfound power. And especially with electoral reform, it's almost a tradition in Canada for the two major parties to complain about our first-past-the-post the system when they lose, only to forget about their complaints the moment they win. Even Mark Carney flirted with reform during his electoral campaign. He seemed to acknowledge that the Trudeau Liberals did not honestly engage with the process of enacting electoral reform. Which is obviously true, despite Trudeau's infuriating claim this past January that one of his biggest regrets was failing to do so. But Carney did go on to state that he would be open to exploring the issue when our immediate other crises are addressed. Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Friday, May 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Perhaps the NDP ought to press the matter more urgently, since we would be foolish to take any politician at their word of 'maybe later' on this issue. One of the NDP's top priorities should be extracting a firm plan and schedule for enacting real democratic reform before the next election. Because in this election we watched our nation drift closer than ever to a two-party system. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. People are afraid to vote for a party that truly represents what they believe because they are incentivized to vote strategically against the party that they don't like. Voters deserve a nuanced system where a mosaic of voices can not only be heard, but represented, geared towards amplifying the diversity of Canadian political philosophy and not for the expediency of neoliberal partisans. Now is the time to scrap the first-past-the-post system for something more pluralistic and representative. A system then incentivizes more and smaller political parties dedicated to divergent philosophies so Canadians aren't so often holding their noses as they vote for one of the two political behemoths because it is the only way to have their voices heard. This is how we can dig our entrenched political parties out of their ruts and force them to consistently take bold initiatives that are in service of the wants of the electorate. Then, not only will we have a system where those ideas often cast to the margins have a chance to be heard and acted upon, we limit the chances of a single large party seizing power and enacting policy that most Canadians do not want. With these election results we are lucky to have a period of grace where such things are still possible. We would be foolish to put them off any longer. Alex Passey is a Winnipeg author.
CTV News
01-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Alberta's Smith says she doesn't see ‘an appetite' for provincial pension plan
The idea of Alberta opting out of the Canada Pension Plan isn't going anywhere -- at least for now. Premier Danielle Smith says she won't be putting the creation of a provincial pension plan to a referendum any time soon. Smith says she doesn't think Albertans have 'an appetite' to pull out of the national pension program, and says the issue is further clouded by lack of detail on how much the province would get if it left. In December, Canada's chief actuary published a report saying Alberta's perceived stake of the Canadian Pension Plan's overall assets was substantially overestimated. A government commissioned report in 2023 estimated Alberta would be owed over 50 per cent of the national plan's assets, but the chief actuary pegged Alberta's share at a maximum of 25 per cent. After her government received the report, Smith said she was disappointed a clear answer on Alberta's share wasn't provided and that she planned to follow up with the actuary. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2025. Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
Calgary Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Alberta's Smith says she doesn't see 'an appetite' for provincial pension plan
The idea of Alberta opting out of the Canada Pension Plan isn't going anywhere, at least for now. Article content Article content Premier Danielle Smith says she won't be putting the creation of a provincial pension plan to a referendum any time soon. Article content Smith says she doesn't think Albertans have 'an appetite' to pull out of the national pension program, and says the issue is further clouded by lack of detail on how much the province would get if it left. Article content Article content In December, Canada's chief actuary published a report saying Alberta's perceived stake of the Canadian Pension Plan's overall assets was substantially overestimated. Article content Article content A government-commissioned report in 2023 estimated Alberta would be owed over 50 per cent of the national plan's assets, but the chief actuary pegged Alberta's share at a maximum of 25 per cent. Article content After her government received the report, Smith said she was disappointed that a clear answer on Alberta's share wasn't provided and that she planned to follow up with the actuary. Article content
Toronto Sun
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Alberta's Smith says she doesn't see 'an appetite' for provincial pension plan
Published May 01, 2025 • 1 minute read Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces proposed changes to several pieces of democratic process legislation in Edmonton on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Photo by Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS EDMONTON — The idea of Alberta opting out of the Canada Pension Plan isn't going anywhere — at least for now. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Premier Danielle Smith says she won't be putting the creation of a provincial pension plan to a referendum any time soon. Smith says she doesn't think Albertans have 'an appetite' to pull out of the national pension program, and says the issue is further clouded by lack of detail on how much the province would get if it left. In December, Canada's chief actuary published a report saying Alberta's perceived stake of the Canadian Pension Plan's overall assets was substantially overestimated. A government commissioned report in 2023 estimated Alberta would be owed over 50 per cent of the national plan's assets, but the chief actuary pegged Alberta's share at a maximum of 25 per cent. After her government received the report, Smith said she was disappointed a clear answer on Alberta's share wasn't provided and that she planned to follow up with the actuary. Toronto Maple Leafs Editorial Cartoons Toronto & GTA Ontario NFL
