You will soon be able to share your thoughts about Alberta’s future.
The ‘Alberta Next’ panel, announced by Premier Danielle Smith, is set to hold town halls across the province throughout the summer and early fall.
The panel will discuss issues like the idea of an Alberta Pension Plan, transitioning from the RCMP to a provincial policing service, immigration reform, how Alberta collects personal income tax and if the province should consider chasing constitutional changes.
Below are the dates and municipalities in which in-person town halls will be held.
The province says exact locations and times, as well as registration information, will be announced two weeks before the events.
- Red Deer – July 15
- Sherwood Park – July 16
- Edmonton – August 14
- Fort McMurray – August 26
- Lloydminster – August 27
- Medicine Hat – September 2
- Lethbridge – September 11
- Airdrie – September 15
- Grande Prairie – September 17
- Calgary – September 29
Additionally, virtual town halls will be held on October 1 and 22.
“This isn’t just about talk. It’s about action,” says Premier Smith.
“The Alberta Next Panel is giving everyday Albertans a direct say in the direction of our province. It’s time to stand up to Ottawa’s overreach and make sure decisions about Alberta’s future are made here, by the people who live and work here.”
The panel is chaired by Smith and includes 13 other members, including elected officials, business leaders, academics and community advocates:
- Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas of Alberta
- Brandon Lunty, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont
- Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock
- Tara Sawyer, MLA-elect for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills
- Bruce McDonald, former justice, Court of Appeal of Alberta
- Trevor Tombe, director of fiscal and economic policy, the University of Calgary School of Public Policy
- Adam Legge, president, Business Council of Alberta
- Andrew Judson, vice chairman (prairies), Fraser Institute
- Sumita Anand, vice president, Above and Beyond Care Services
- Melody Garner-Skiba, business and agricultural advocate
- Grant Fagerheim, president and CEO, Whitecap Resources Inc.
- Dr. Akin Osakuade, physician and section chief, Didsbury Hospital
- Dr. Benny Xu, community health expert
- Michael Binnion, president, Questerre Energy
Tara Sawyer, who is the projected UCP MLA-elect for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills after the Monday, June 23 by-election, says she is very excited to be a part of the panel. She notes she is eager to help chart the path forward for the province.
“The whole intent is to be able to hear from everybody and make some recommendations on what we can do to build the strong province that we want,” Sawyer says.
Surveys covering different topics are currently available for Albertans to fill out at the Alberta Next website.
–With files from Galen Hartviksen
