Alberta Premier Launches Panel to Shape Sovereignty Referendum

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has established the Alberta Next Panel to engage the public and develop proposals aimed at strengthening provincial sovereignty within Canada. The panel, composed of 15 members including a former Court of Appeal justice, an economist, and former energy executives, will travel across Alberta holding town halls and gathering input through surveys. A key focus is preparing recommendations on potential referendum questions for a province-wide vote in 2026, which likely will include the option of Alberta separating from Canada. Smith criticized what she views as unfair treatment of Alberta by the federal government, citing issues such as federal transfers, equalization payments, and federal interference in provincial matters. The initiative reflects Alberta's desire to reduce Ottawa's influence, with Smith emphasizing the need to protect the province's economic future and way of life. The panel aims to address these challenges while keeping Alberta within a united Canada, but with more provincial autonomy.