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By The Canadian Press

Red Deer July 15

Smith, Alberta Next panel begin town hall series to hear grievances about Ottawa

Jul 15, 2025 | 10:02 AM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and a hand-picked panel are set to hold the first in a series of town halls to address public concerns with the federal government.

Some 650 people are expected at today’s event in Red Deer as Smith and the 15 other members of the Alberta Next panel hear about grievances inspiring separatist sentiment in the province.

The government is dedicating time at the event to several strategies it’s pitching to wrest more control from the federal government, including pulling out of the Canada Pension Plan and withholding social services from some immigrants.

There will also be an open question-and-answer period.

Smith and panel members are set to hear feedback in Edmonton on Wednesday.

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The premier has said the panel will recommend ideas and policy proposals for a referendum after the town halls wrap up in October.

The town halls will be livestreamed to albertanextpanel.ca, the Alberta Next YouTube channel and the Alberta Next X (formerly Twitter) account.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.

(With files from rdnewsNOW)