Particle.news
Download on the App Store
16 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Alberta Next Panel Launches Province-Wide Consultations on Autonomy Measures

Gathering public input via town halls this summer, the panel seeks to shape referendum questions for 2026.

Image
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the composition of her 'Alberta Next' panel at Heritage Park in Calgary on Tuesday. Adam Legge of the Business Council of Alberta watches at right.
Image
Image

Overview

  • Premier Danielle Smith chairs the 15-member panel, which includes UCP MLAs, Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz, economist Trevor Tombe and business leaders.
  • Online surveys launched June 24 ask whether to withhold services from non-citizens, establish an Alberta pension plan and police service, create a provincial tax agency, and pursue constitutional and equalization reforms.
  • The panel will tour Alberta in town halls from July through September to gather in-person feedback on proposed policy questions before a scheduled 2026 referendum.
  • Business Council president Adam Legge and economist Trevor Tombe say the website’s policy ideas reflect government messaging rather than their own, and the panel will welcome additional public suggestions.
  • Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi and other critics liken the initiative to the earlier Fair Deal panel, calling it a costly distraction that risks fueling separatist and xenophobic sentiment.