Latest news with #DanielleSmith
CTV News
37 minutes ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Premier Smith's panel makes changes to pension, policing surveys to fix ‘oversight'
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks during a press conference in Edmonton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Premier Danielle Smith's government is making changes to its online surveys about Alberta's relationship with Ottawa, despite thousands having already filled out and submitted their opinions. Smith says the old and new surveys will be combined, and says she doesn't believe that will skew their findings. The surveys were launched three weeks ago with Smith's touring town hall panel, dubbed Alberta Next, to gauge public sentiment toward possible referendums on distancing Alberta from federal programs and agencies. The original surveys asked respondents to comment on topics such as a provincial pension plan and police force, but didn't include an option to vote no on those proposals. It's not clear when the surveys were changed, but the reworked version gives respondents a chance to say no. The Opposition NDP says Smith's government is manipulating the panel and the survey to stir up separatist sentiment, and says the revised survey further reinforces its irrelevancy. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025. Jack Farrell and Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
National Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
Danielle Smith says pulling Alberta out of supply management is worth considering
OTTAWA — Canada's dairy and poultry supply management regime could face a major challenge from within with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith saying she could consider the province exiting the quota system. Article content Smith said at a town hall in Red Deer, Alta., that she found the idea of the province opting out of supply management intriguing. Article content Article content '(C)reating our own Alberta version of supply management, maybe as a pathway to a market system and maybe just because it would stick our finger in the eye of Quebec … might be (something) we want to do a little consultation on,' said Smith. Article content Article content Smith noted that Alberta's share of the Canada-wide quotas for dairy and egg production allotted under supply management falls below its share of the population. Article content Her comments came after one of the attendees, Lee Eddy, a resident of Red Deer County, said earlier in the evening that pulling out of the system would be one way for Alberta to grab the attention of Laurentian power brokers. The town hall was being held as part of Smith's Alberta Next panel, struck to consider tactics for enhancing Alberta's sovereignty. Article content 'If we really want to make the eastern politicians … change their underwear, we should remove our supply management from the Canadian system,' said Eddy. Article content Quebec producers hold roughly 37 per cent of Canada's total milk quota, with Ontario producers holding 32 per cent, according to Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada. Producers in the two provinces have exerted considerable clout over politicians, given their concentration in certain ridings. Article content Alberta producers hold just short of nine per cent, despite the province representing more than 11 per cent of the national population. Article content Article content Eddy suggested that Alberta move first to a transitional provincial quota system and eventually to a market-based system. Article content Supply management has emerged as a major trade irritant with the U.S., further complicating already delicate cross-border trade negotiations. Article content During the recent federal election, Carney promised to keep supply management 'off the table' in new trade negotiations with the U.S. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also said he supports supply management. Article content Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Foods Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, says that Alberta's relative lack of skin in the dairy-quota game gives it a freer hand to take on supply management.
Global News
6 hours 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.
CBC
8 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Alberta premier 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. WATCH | The Alberta Next panel makes stop in Edmonton: The Alberta Next panel makes stop in Edmonton 38 minutes ago 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." 'Alberta's grievances' 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. 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. "We really need to have a police force that lives in our community, works with our people, and grows and works with the communities," said one supporter, Brian. The divide in the room was clear, with attendees competing at every chance to make sure their boos 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. 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. 'Punching down' 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 it didn't approve from health care and other provincially-run services, led a speaker to ask why the premier was "punching down on immigrants." 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." Panel member Sumita Anand, who also serves as co-chair on Smith's council for multiculturalism, agreed with the premier, and at one point pleaded with the crowd for support on the proposal. "Please instruct us to put reasonable check stops," said Anand, an executive at a Calgary-based non-profit that provides support to those with disabilities. "All we are asking for are check stops so that we can make a better future for our children and our grandchildren here." Jennifer Long, an anthropology professor at MacEwan University in Edmonton, challenged the premier and the panel, saying they 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. "What a debacle. This thing is such a sham," Nenshi said.
Edmonton Journal
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Smith hears mixed reviews for Alberta Next pitches from Edmonton crowd
Premier Danielle Smith and members of her Alberta Next panel faced more mixed reviews from an east Edmonton crowd Wednesday night than the largely positive response the evening prior in Red Deer. Article content The event was branded as the panel's Sherwood Park town hall but was held in an Edmonton hotel ballroom just west of the suburb community. Article content Article content Smith's panel along with the boisterous crowd of roughly 500 in attendance, and over 40,000 livestream viewers, heard from 72 speakers primarily on the six topics raised on the panel's website regarding Alberta's relationship with Ottawa. Article content Article content The second event in a cross-province series came after Smith and the panel debuted before a largely receptive town hall audience in Red Deer on Tuesday. Article content Article content On Wednesday, Smith drew a round of applause on entering the room to begin the event, but her opening remarks listing grievances against Ottawa were interrupted by heckles and laughter before concluding with another round of applause. Article content 'Alberta has an Ottawa problem,' she said. 'Regardless of what each of us believes about these issues or what path we think is best, we as Albertans have to be able to respectfully debate and discuss the issues her.' Article content The discussion of topics to push back against Ottawa was preceded by the same videos that must be watched before taking one of the survey's on the panel's website, with the pre-recorded messages together taking up roughly half an hour of what was a two-hour and 45-minute-long event. Article content Article content The most vocal opposition from the crowd came from speakers addressing a potential Alberta pension plan. Article content Two of the 11 speakers on the issue were in favour of leaving the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Article content Those opposed to leaving CPP stressed the risks of a making that move as well as how the issue appeared to have been settled. Article content 'Why is this question even a question when we've already done this survey,' a speaker named Nicole asked, pointing to the province's own survey from 2023 that Postmedia prompted the province to publish after it withheld the results for 21 months. That survey showed just 10 per cent of respondents wanted a provincial pension plan. Article content Fort Saskatchewan's Roberta Stasyk called a provincial plan 'a horrible idea' while questioning how it made Alberta look to the rest of Canada. Article content 'We sound like bratty children.'
