Tensions Flare at Alberta Next Panel as Smith Faces Cheers, Criticism Over Ottawa Pushback and Immigration Plans

National Times Bureau (Rajeev Sharma) — A crowd of nearly 400 filled the Cypress Centre on Tuesday night for the Alberta Next Panel town hall, where Premier Danielle Smith received both strong applause and sharp criticism as her government outlined proposals to wrest more control from Ottawa.

The two-and-a-half-hour meeting focused on six hot-button issues: federal transfers and equalization, an Alberta Pension Plan, constitutional reform, a provincial police force, immigration, and provincial tax collection. The panel suggested shifting more tax revenues to align with provincial responsibilities, drawing comparisons to Quebec’s constitutional autonomy.

While Smith and panelists drew strong support on matters like embankment strengthening and provincial policing, immigration proposals triggered heated debate. Audience members voiced concern that restricting some newcomers’ access to social services risked scapegoating immigrants for Alberta’s challenges. Smith argued that Alberta’s immigration strategy would focus on filling labor market gaps, but some residents said the rhetoric encouraged fear and hostility rather than integration.

The premier cited pressures created by population growth, with 150,000 newcomers arriving annually compared to 50,000 in past years. She said the strain was visible in overcrowded classrooms, housing shortages, and healthcare wait times. Separatist sentiment surfaced too, with some attendees calling for Alberta to leave Canada to fully control immigration.

Criticism also extended to the event’s format. Several attendees accused moderator Bruce McAllister, who also serves as executive director in Smith’s office, of fueling division rather than maintaining neutrality. Others denounced what they called propaganda videos and tribalism during the meeting.

Smith defended her government’s rollout of a digital health card, saying Alberta currently has 600,000 more health cards than residents, creating risks of fraud and wasted taxpayer money.

The Alberta Next Panel will continue touring, with upcoming stops in Lethbridge, Airdrie, Grande Prairie, and Calgary before the end of September.