Tense Alberta Next Town Hall Wraps Up in Calgary
Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel concluded its province-wide tour in Calgary on Monday night amid palpable tension. Residents voiced grievances directed at both Ottawa and the Alberta government during the final public consultation.
Alberta Next Panel's Objective
Around 1,100 individuals convened at Spruce Meadows' Equi-Plex, a venue primarily used for equestrian events, for one last opportunity to address the panel directly. The panel will now deliberate on how to proceed with the government's proposals for Alberta's future.
Premier Smith reiterated her commitment to considering the feedback received, stating that some issues might gain sufficient consensus for action, while others might be rejected or put to a public vote. This reflects a consistent message from previous town halls, including the one in Grande Prairie.
The Alberta Next panel was established earlier in the year following Prime Minister Mark Carney's hypothetical federal election victory. Smith has framed the initiative as a chance to re-evaluate Alberta's relationship with Ottawa. Six proposals are under consideration, including increased control over immigration, exiting the Canada Pension Plan to create an Alberta-run plan, and establishing a provincial police service.
Public Reception and Debate
Smith and the panel received a standing ovation. Despite some individual dissenting voices, the crowd largely supported all six government proposals, a trend observed in straw polls at prior town halls. The province is also conducting surveys, but the results have yet to be released publicly.
Following a telephone town hall scheduled for Wednesday, the panel will determine which proposals will proceed to a referendum or be implemented without a vote. However, the Calgary event was not without moments of friction.
Flashpoints and Controversies
Tensions flared on several occasions. A high-school student from Calgary attempted to criticize the government following Alberta teachers' vote to reject a tentative agreement with the province. His microphone was cut off after 14 seconds, prompting moderator Bruce McAllister to make a controversial remark that the student's parents should "turn you over your knee." This comment was met with disapproval from other audience members, one calling the comment "disgraceful."
Arguments erupted among audience members during and after the event. The rush for seats during question-and-answer sessions was marked by the sound of chairs scraping, as lines stretched with 15 people hoping for a chance to speak.
Near the conclusion of the event, the audience spontaneously sang the Canadian national anthem after someone spoke negatively about Alberta separatism. However, at other points in the evening, expressions of support for separating from Canada drew widespread cheers.
Panel's Response to Separatist Concerns
Stephen Buffalo, CEO of the Indian Resource Council and a member of the panel, dismissed the notion that Alberta's pursuit of constitutional changes was driven by a separatist agenda.
"These six items we talked about tonight, I see a path forward, but it takes strong leadership on both sides to go down that alley," Buffalo said. "To talk anymore about separation, Alberta walking away, it's like looking for a Tootsie Roll in a septic tank. It's just not good work."
Outside the venue, a small group of protestors stood near the entrance, holding placards. One individual, Jane Mcquitty, stood alone with a paper bag over her head featuring a photo of Premier Smith. She stated that the town hall was "hardly a democratic sampling of Albertans."
