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An Alberta group seeking ways to strengthen its autonomy has proposed seven recommendations, including options for referendum topics.
The 15-member Alberta Next group, led by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, released its report Friday afternoon after holding town hall meetings in 10 communities across the province over the summer and fall.
recommendations relate to self-government, the provincial pension plan, personal income tax, equalization and federal transfers, provincial policing, immigration and constitutional reform.
“Through Alberta Next, Albertans have made it clear that for too long, decisions made outside this province have limited Alberta's ability to grow our economy and chart our own course,” Smith said in a press release accompanying the report.
Recommended referendums
The commission recommends that the province hold a referendum on the creation of the Alberta Pension Plan and withdrawal from the Canada Pension Plan. But the commission says Albertans would first need a detailed proposal outlining the benefits and risks.
The commission also recommends that the province hold a referendum on strengthening immigration controls, including attracting more economic migrants and “limiting the right to social services for citizens, permanent residents and immigration permits.”
The commission also recommends a referendum on “specific constitutional amendments,” saying the province should work with other provinces to eliminate federal programs affecting provincial jurisdiction without losing funding, allow provinces to appoint their own Court of Queen's Bench and Court of Appeal judges, and abolish the federal Senate.
The group also recommends that the province take a leadership role in working with Ottawa and other provinces to reform the equalization system.
The report says the government should continue to work to create an Alberta Police Service “and transition community policing services from the RCMP to APS and municipal police services.”
Smith said the government would consider the recommendations before responding to them in the coming months.
Nahid Nenshi, leader of the official opposition NDP, likened the initiative to a “fake consultation.”
“They spent millions of dollars on the Alberta Next commission. Now they're going to spend millions of dollars on referendums even though Albertans have made it very clear that they don't want the Alberta Police Service, they don't want the Alberta Pension Plan,” Nenshi said in an interview Friday afternoon.
“They want the government to stop fighting and start focusing on the cost of living, jobs, health care and education, things that the New Democrats are focused on.”
Poll results are not supported
The group conducted surveys across all categories and commissioned professional online surveys with a sample size of over 1,000 people in July, September and October.
The report said a professional poll found 52 per cent of Albertans opposed creating a provincial police force.
“This was billed as a consultation exercise, but it's clear they're not listening to what they're hearing from Albertans,” said Laurie Williams, an assistant professor of policy studies at Mount Royal University.
“Even by their own numbers, the provincial police force is less than 50 per cent, and they're moving forward even without a referendum. So, they've heard that Albertans don't want this, and they're moving forward.”
Online polling and commentary show a clear majority oppose leaving the Canada Pension Plan, while a commissioned professional poll suggests 54 percent support.
“This is the second-highest level of support they've looked at, and they're going to continue to propose the Alberta Pension Plan — and possibly hold a referendum if enough Albertans support it,” Williams said.
The Alberta Next group offered seven recommendations for the provincial government to consider, including numerous proposals for a referendum. As Travis McEwan reports, some critics say the report proposes policies that most Albertans don't want.
The panel included professionals from various sectors such as business and finance, healthcare, agriculture and energy.
The groups met in Edmonton, Red Deer, Sherwood Park, Fort McMurray, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Airdrie, Grande Prairie and Calgary, as well as one online town hall.
More than 5,000 Albertans took part in the events, the report said.
