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By Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press

Beginning July 15

Alberta Next panel set to begin hearings on public concerns with federal government

Jul 14, 2025 | 3:35 PM

Premier Danielle Smith’s hand-picked panel hearing how to fix relations with the federal government is set to get down to 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 hear from residents on concerns with the federal government.

On Wednesday, they will hear feedback in Edmonton.

Smith has said she believes in a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, and that the Alberta Next panel is simply a vehicle to get Ottawa to address Albertans’ grievances.

But 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.

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Nenshi says 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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025.

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