The Alberta government is launching a province-wide consultation effort to gather public input on how to strengthen Alberta’s autonomy and redefine its role in Canada, Premier Danielle Smith announced Tuesday.Chaired by Smith, the newly formed Alberta Next Panel includes a mix of politicians, academics, business leaders, and community advocates. Its goal is to collect feedback from Albertans and offer recommendations to the government on ways to defend the province’s economy, assert more control over key policies, and potentially craft referendum questions for a vote in 2026.“Albertans, not Ottawa, should shape Alberta’s future,” Smith said, calling the initiative a response to “10 years of punitive policies” from the federal government.Over the summer and fall, the panel will host town halls across the province to hear from residents, with findings and recommendations expected by the end of 2025. The panel’s mandate includes exploring the benefits and risks of policies such as creating an Alberta Pension Plan, replacing the RCMP with a provincial police force, altering federal transfer payments, gaining greater control over immigration, and collecting personal income tax at the provincial level.“This isn’t just about talk. It’s about action,” said Smith. “It’s time to stand up to Ottawa’s overreach and make sure decisions about Alberta’s future are made here.”Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta and one of 14 panel members, said the effort is about restoring fairness within Canada and listening to Albertans’ ideas for building a stronger province. “Years of problematic policy and decisions from Ottawa have hurt Albertan and Canadian prosperity,” he said.Other panel members include cabinet ministers Rebecca Schulz and Brandon Lunty, business leaders Grant Fagerheim and Michael Binnion, economist Trevor Tombe, and physician Dr. Akin Osakuade. More members, including an indigenous one are expected to be added in the coming weeks.
