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last mo.

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.

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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.
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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.