Premier Danielle Smith’s handpicked panel hearing how to fix relations with the federal government will begin work this week with back-to-back town halls.
On Tuesday, Smith and the 15 other members of the Alberta Next panel will be in Red Deer in the first stop on their tour to host some 650 residents and hear concerns with the federal government.
On Wednesday, they will hear feedback in Edmonton, where 600 people have scooped up free tickets.
Smith has said she believes in a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, and that one of the reasons for the Alberta Next panel is to address the concerns inspiring more vocal separatist sentiment in the province.
On her Saturday radio call-in show, Smith said that in years past, the repeal of federal policies “took the wind right out of the sails” of separatism in Alberta.
“Ottawa really does have to listen, as I am, take it seriously and correct the things that are causing the grievances, and that’s what I’m working for over the next few months,” she said.
The government is dedicating time at the town hall to six main 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.
The event will include an open question-and-answer period.
In a video posted to social media in late June, Smith said the issues on the table, including taking over policing from the RCMP and tax collection from the federal government, might spark tough and emotional conversations.
“That’s OK. We are Albertans, we can have hard conversations and share our ideas and opinions respectfully and stay good friends and neighbours while doing so,” she said.
After her town halls wrap up in October, Smith has said the panel would recommend ideas and policy proposals for a referendum.
Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has dismissed the panel as a way for Smith to curry favour with extreme elements of her United Conservative Party to keep them from splintering off.
On Monday, he announced his party’s own summer event plans.
Nenshi said his caucus members will be knocking on doors and hosting town halls in a tour he calls Better Together to explore ways Albertans can help build a strong future for all Canadians within a united country.
He said Smith’s panel will create division and pit neighbour against neighbour.
“She’s scared about her grip over her own base, [and] is now playing dice with the future of the country,” he said.
The government’s panel includes: United Conservative Party members of the legislature; Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge; retired judge Bruce McDonald; physician Akin Osakuade and University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe.
Stephen Buffalo, the CEO of the Indian Resource Council, also joined the panel since it was first announced last month.
Nenshi said he will be shocked if none of them resign soon saying they “don’t want to be a part of this craziness.”
Sam Blackett, the premier’s press secretary, said in a statement Monday the premier has shown she will always put Albertans first without apology.
“The truth is, Mr. Nenshi is a lifelong Liberal who’s always sided with Ottawa over Alberta,” he said.
Blackett also accused Nenshi of peddling misinformation by trying to paint the premier as a separatist in an effort to “resurrect his crumbling political party.”
Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party of Canada Leader who is running in an Alberta byelection Aug. 18, said Monday at an unrelated news conference he disagrees with separation, but said Albertans have legitimate grievances that shouldn’t be dismissed.
“I understand the frustration,” said Poilievre, who was born and raised in Calgary.
“We have to put a final end to this notion that Ottawa tells Alberta to pay up and shut up — and that’s what Albertans have been told by this Liberal government for a decade,” he said.
