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CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Tensions high at town hall as Alberta Next Panel faces polarized crowd in Edmonton
A polarized crowd shouted at each other — and at Premier Danielle Smith — at the third Alberta Next town hall in Edmonton Thursday night. The 16-member panel, chaired by Smith, are holding 10 town halls across Alberta this summer to hear what people think about some proposals for how the province can reset its relationship with the federal government. The panellists found a skeptical and critical audience in west Edmonton. Some in the crowd laughed at Smith, when she said in her introductory remakes, "when Edmonton speaks, we listen. Many in the audience jeered at the videos that introduced each of the topics, particularly the section on leaving the Canada Pension Plan in favour of an Alberta plan. Some even pushed back at the premise of the panel. "Alberta doesn't really want you doing this right now," one man said. While people hostile to the proposals dominated the microphones, many supporters were in the crowd. The majority of people in the room were in favour of each of the six initiatives during the straw polls taken throughout the night. Kathryn Speck thanked Smith for being a truly democratic leader who is willing to listen to citizens. "I apologize on behalf of these rude Edmontonians," she said. The panel is asking people to weigh in on matters like switching to a Alberta Pension Plan, replacing the RCMP with a provincial police service, and reopening talks on the Constitution "to empower and better protect provincial rights." Bruce McAllister, the panel's moderator, lost patience with the crowd at a number of points in the evening. He yelled at one person in the audience telling him to "knock it off" and urged another to not "be a jerk." WATCH | Will Alberta Next panel result in a plan, or just another outlet for frustration? Will Alberta Next panel result in a plan, or just another outlet for frustration? 27 days ago Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel aims to hear about how the province can protect itself Ottawa while building a strong and sovereign Alberta within Canada. The CBC's Helen Pike talks to a conservative strategist and a political scientist about what the town hall format is for, and what value the province might see in hosting these discussions. Most of the people who spoke about the Alberta Pension Plan proposal were opposed to the idea. Several people told the panel that Albertans have rejected the idea so they didn't understand why Smith and her government wouldn't let it go. Two audience members criticized the province's new expense disclosure policy, which removes a requirement for the premier, ministers, deputy ministers and senior staff to publicly disclose receipts for expenses over $100. Smith said she was also confused by the policy. She said cabinet wanted to address the concerns of MLAs who didn't want the names of their favourite hotels disclosed publicly for safety reasons. "That was what the policy was supposed to be," Smith said. "It turned out to be something quite different. So we're going to see if we can maybe track down how that happened and do a reversal on that." Thursday night's event was the third town hall meeting. Earlier events were held last month in Red Deer and Edmonton. At those town halls, some Albertans offered support for the proposals, some protested at the gates and others dismissed the panel as a self-serving political exercise meant to stir up discontent and division. It is set to host events in Fort McMurray and Lloydminster in two weeks. The premier has said one of the reasons for the panel is to address concerns that are inspiring separatist sentiment in the province. Alberta public opinion pollster Janet Brown has said the government's effort is not a polling exercise but a public engagement exercise and that changing the survey questions midstream underscores that.
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Alberta Next Panel faces hostile, polarized crowd in Edmonton
A polarized crowd shouted at each other — and at Premier Danielle Smith — at the third Alberta Next town hall in Edmonton Thursday night. The 16-member panel, chaired by Smith, are holding 10 town halls across Alberta this summer to hear what people think about some proposals for how the province can reset its relationship with the federal government. The panellists found a skeptical and critical audience in west Edmonton. Some in the crowd laughed at Smith, when she said in her introductory remakes, "when Edmonton speaks, we listen. Many in the audience jeered at the videos that introduced each of the topics, particularly the section on leaving the Canada Pension Plan in favour of an Alberta plan. Some even pushed back at the premise of the panel. "Alberta doesn't really want you doing this right now," one man said. While people hostile to the proposals dominated the microphones, many supporters were in the crowd. The majority of people in the room were in favour of each of the six initiatives during the straw polls taken throughout the night. Kathryn Speck thanked Smith for being a truly democratic leader who is willing to listen to citizens. "I apologize on behalf of these rude Edmontonians," she said. The panel is asking people to weigh in on matters like switching to a Alberta Pension Plan, replacing the RCMP with a provincial police service, and reopening talks on the Constitution "to empower and better protect provincial rights." Bruce McAllister, the panel's moderator, lost patience with the crowd at a number of points in the evening. He yelled at one person in the audience telling him to "knock it off" and urged another to not "be a jerk." WATCH | Will Alberta Next panel result in a plan, or just another outlet for frustration? Will Alberta Next panel result in a plan, or just another outlet for frustration? 27 days ago Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel aims to hear about how the province can protect itself Ottawa while building a strong and sovereign Alberta within Canada. The CBC's Helen Pike talks to a conservative strategist and a political scientist about what the town hall format is for, and what value the province might see in hosting these discussions. Most of the people who spoke about the Alberta Pension Plan proposal were opposed to the idea. Several people told the panel that Albertans have rejected the idea so they didn't understand why Smith and her government wouldn't let it go. Two audience members criticized the province's new expense disclosure policy, which removes a requirement for the premier, ministers, deputy ministers and senior staff to publicly disclose receipts for expenses over $100. Smith said she was also confused by the policy. She said cabinet wanted to address the concerns of MLAs who didn't want the names of their favourite hotels disclosed publicly for safety reasons. "That was what the policy was supposed to be," Smith said. "It turned out to be something quite different. So we're going to see if we can maybe track down how that happened and do a reversal on that." Thursday night's event was the third town hall meeting. Earlier events were held last month in Red Deer and Edmonton. At those town halls, some Albertans offered support for the proposals, some protested at the gates and others dismissed the panel as a self-serving political exercise meant to stir up discontent and division. It is set to host events in Fort McMurray and Lloydminster in two weeks. The premier has said one of the reasons for the panel is to address concerns that are inspiring separatist sentiment in the province. Alberta public opinion pollster Janet Brown has said the government's effort is not a polling exercise but a public engagement exercise and that changing the survey questions midstream underscores that.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Alberta Next panel set to begin hearings on public concerns with federal government
Premier Danielle Smith's hand-picked panel hearing how to fix relations with the federal government will begin work this week with back-to-back town halls. On Tuesday, Smith and the 15 other members of the Alberta Next panel will be in Red Deer in the first stop on their tour to host some 650 residents and hear concerns with the federal government. On Wednesday, they will hear feedback in Edmonton, where 600 people have scooped up free tickets. Smith has said she believes in a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, and that one of the reasons for the Alberta Next panel is to address the concerns inspiring more vocal separatist sentiment in the province. On her Saturday radio call-in show, Smith said that in years past, the repeal of federal policies 'took the wind right out of the sails' of separatism in Alberta. 'Ottawa really does have to listen, as I am, take it seriously and correct the things that are causing the grievances, and that's what I'm working for over the next few months,' she said. The government is dedicating time at the town hall to six main 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. The event will include an open question-and-answer period. In a video posted to social media in late June, Smith said the issues on the table, including taking over policing from the RCMP and tax collection from the federal government, might spark tough and emotional conversations. 'That's OK. We are Albertans, we can have hard conversations and share our ideas and opinions respectfully and stay good friends and neighbours while doing so,' she said. After her town halls wrap up in October, Smith has said the panel would recommend ideas and policy proposals for a referendum. Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has dismissed the panel as a way for Smith to curry favour with extreme elements of her United Conservative Party to keep them from splintering off. On Monday, he announced his party's own summer event plans. Nenshi said his caucus members will be knocking on doors and hosting town halls in a tour he calls Better Together to explore ways Albertans can help build a strong future for all Canadians within a united country. He said Smith's panel will create division and pit neighbour against neighbour. 'She's scared about her grip over her own base, (and) is now playing dice with the future of the country,' he said. The government's panel includes: United Conservative Party members of the legislature; Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge; retired judge Bruce McDonald; physician Akin Osakuade and University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe. Stephen Buffalo, the CEO of the Indian Resource Council, also joined the panel since it was first announced last month. Nenshi said he will be shocked if none of them resign soon saying they 'don't want to be a part of this craziness.' Sam Blackett, the premier's press secretary, said in a statement Monday the premier has shown she will always put Albertans first without apology. 'The truth is, Mr. Nenshi is a lifelong Liberal who's always sided with Ottawa over Alberta,' he said. Blackett also accused Nenshi of peddling misinformation by trying to paint the premier as a separatist in an effort to 'resurrect his crumbling political party.' Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party of Canada Leader who is running in an Alberta byelection Aug. 18, said Monday at an unrelated news conference he disagrees with separation, but said Albertans have legitimate grievances that shouldn't be dismissed. 'I understand the frustration,' said Poilievre, who was born and raised in Calgary. 'We have to put a final end to this notion that Ottawa tells Alberta to pay up and shut up – and that's what Albertans have been told by this Liberal government for a decade," he said. By Lisa Johnson This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025.
CBC
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Alberta Next panel set to begin hearings on public concerns with federal government
Premier Danielle Smith's handpicked panel hearing how to fix relations with the federal government will begin work this week with back-to-back town halls. On Tuesday, Smith and the 15 other members of the Alberta Next panel will be in Red Deer in the first stop on their tour to host some 650 residents and hear concerns with the federal government. On Wednesday, they will hear feedback in Edmonton, where 600 people have scooped up free tickets. Smith has said she believes in a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, and that one of the reasons for the Alberta Next panel is to address the concerns inspiring more vocal separatist sentiment in the province. On her Saturday radio call-in show, Smith said that in years past, the repeal of federal policies "took the wind right out of the sails" of separatism in Alberta. "Ottawa really does have to listen, as I am, take it seriously and correct the things that are causing the grievances, and that's what I'm working for over the next few months," she said. The government is dedicating time at the town hall to six main 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. The event will include an open question-and-answer period. In a video posted to social media in late June, Smith said the issues on the table, including taking over policing from the RCMP and tax collection from the federal government, might spark tough and emotional conversations. "That's OK. We are Albertans, we can have hard conversations and share our ideas and opinions respectfully and stay good friends and neighbours while doing so," she said. After her town halls wrap up in October, Smith has said the panel would recommend ideas and policy proposals for a referendum. Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has dismissed the panel as a way for Smith to curry favour with extreme elements of her United Conservative Party to keep them from splintering off. On Monday, he announced his party's own summer event plans. Nenshi said his caucus members will be knocking on doors and hosting town halls in a tour he calls Better Together to explore ways Albertans can help build a strong future for all Canadians within a united country. He said Smith's panel will create division and pit neighbour against neighbour. "She's scared about her grip over her own base, [and] is now playing dice with the future of the country," he said. The government's panel includes: United Conservative Party members of the legislature; Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge; retired judge Bruce McDonald; physician Akin Osakuade and University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe. Stephen Buffalo, the CEO of the Indian Resource Council, also joined the panel since it was first announced last month. Nenshi said he will be shocked if none of them resign soon saying they "don't want to be a part of this craziness." Sam Blackett, the premier's press secretary, said in a statement Monday the premier has shown she will always put Albertans first without apology. "The truth is, Mr. Nenshi is a lifelong Liberal who's always sided with Ottawa over Alberta," he said. Blackett also accused Nenshi of peddling misinformation by trying to paint the premier as a separatist in an effort to "resurrect his crumbling political party." Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party of Canada Leader who is running in an Alberta byelection Aug. 18, said Monday at an unrelated news conference he disagrees with separation, but said Albertans have legitimate grievances that shouldn't be dismissed. "I understand the frustration," said Poilievre, who was born and raised in Calgary. "We have to put a final end to this notion that Ottawa tells Alberta to pay up and shut up — and that's what Albertans have been told by this Liberal government for a decade," he said.
