The Alberta government is launching a new provincial police force despite claiming that it would put the matter to a referendum vote in 2026.
On July 2, before Alberta’s newly-created Alberta Next panel had held a single town hall and when the online survey period had barely opened, the provincial government rolled out plans for a provincial police force headed up by former Calgary city police chief Sat Parhar.
Alberta Next asks Albertans to take part in six surveys on topics related to the province’s political and economic sovereignty. One of the surveys asks citizens for their opinion on a provincial police force.
The results of the online surveys are meant to inform future referendum questions.
“On the one hand, they’re saying we’ll have a referendum. On the other hand, they’re moving forward and not doing any consultation,” David Shepherd, NDP public safety critic, said in an interview with Global News. “They’re making it up as they go along.”
Surveys and town halls
Over the next two and a half months, the provincially-appointed Alberta Next panel will hear from Albertans about the province’s future through a series of ten town halls and online surveys.
According to Premier Danielle Smith, her government will take direction from the people.
“The best ideas don’t come from government. They come from you, from the shop floor, the field, classroom, the boardroom,” she says in the video.
However, before taking each survey, people have to watch videos that explain the government’s perspective on issues.
“Let’s face it, Alberta is being held back. Our economy has been under attack for most of the last ten years,” says Premier Smith, in a video introducing Alberta Next. “We want to live in a country that works for us, not against us.”
Directing public opinion
One of the six surveys asks Alberta about opting out of the Canada Pension Plan. The video pitch promises “a big upfront payout” and an investment strategy that steers “clear of ideological decision-making.”
The video doesn’t mention that just two years ago 90 percent of respondents in public consultations on the same idea thought an Alberta pension plan was a bad idea.
In an interview with the CBC, political scientist Jared Wesley said the government isn’t really trying to collect public opinion.
“What they’re trying to do is to direct public opinion,” said Wesley, who used to work in the Alberta government’s intergovernmental affairs branch.
Immigration without supports
Another survey topic is on immigration. The language in the mandatory viewing video is at odds with Premier Smith’s welcoming message touting Alberta as a place that opens the door to people who want to work hard and contribute.
“If Alberta isn’t satisfied with the number or kind of newcomers moving to our province, we may have the option to withhold provincial social programs to any non-citizen or non-permanent resident who does not have an Alberta-approved immigration status,” says the narrated video.
The video doesn’t specify what the right kind of newcomers are, but blames immigrants for high housing costs and unemployment.
Premier Smith’s opinions on population are confusing.
In an interview last January, she told podcaster Shaun Newman she’d like to see Alberta’s population rapidly double to 10 million and be a haven for migrants within Canada and immigrants.
Algerian Farah Rebbouh moved with her family to Alberta two years ago. She told CityNews that she likes their new home but if immigrant services are cut, they’d pack their bags.
“Of course I would leave Alberta and would not second-guess my decision, and move elsewhere,” she said.
