Alberta Next Panel tour stops in Sherwood Park, Red Deer are sold out

The Alberta Next panel is coming soon to communities across the province.

Getting in the door, however, could prove difficult.

All the free tickets for the next two stops – 650 seats for July 15 in Red Deer and 600 for July 16 in Sherwood Park – have already been claimed.

Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta Next is about getting a better deal from Ottawa and building support to stay in Canada.

“Albertans are frustrated after 10 years of punitive policies, enacted by the federal government, attacking Alberta’s economy and targeting its core industries,” her press secretary, Sam Blackett, told CityNews.

“It’s clear that Albertans are engaged and excited to participate in the Alberta Next Panel town halls and we look forward to hearing from Albertans across the province to chart a path forward for our province.”

But people who spoke to CityNews in Strathcona County Wednesday view it instead as a soft promotion of separatism.

“We should certainly want a fair deal for our province, but I think separation doesn’t get us anywhere,” said Sherwood Park’s Margo Gaglione. “We’re landlocked. What are we going to do? Create our own police force, our own currency, our own army? I think it’s ridiculous.”

“I don’t want to become the 51st state, but I just want equality,” added fellow Sherwood Park resident Joe Rohrer. “And if Ottawa digs in their heals, I don’t know what to think.”

It’s unclear who will show up for the town halls.

The Alberta NDP doesn’t support the process, saying it will do nothing to fix healthcare or affordability.

The leader of the separatist Alberta Republicans isn’t interested either.

“Why would you show up to a panel discussion to discuss the same old problems?” asked Cameron Davies. “We need solutions and that requires action and political backbone, not referendum questions.”

Added Sherwood Park resident Betty Screpnek: “It’s costing a lot of money, and we haven’t given the prime minister of Canada (the chance) to do what he says he’s going to do. I think we’re escalating this. It’s ridiculous.”

On the agenda: immigration, pension plan

Premier Smith is leading the 15-member panel, which includes three United Conservative Party legislature members: Brandon Lunty, Glenn van Dijken and the party’s newest MLA, Tara Sawyer, who recently won a byelection.

Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz is on the panel along with two oil and gas executives and Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge. Other members are retired judge Bruce McDonald, physician and emergency doctor Dr. Akin Osakuade and University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe.

Topics up for debate include immigration, equalization and major changes to the constitution.

A provincial police force and pension plan are also on the agenda, even though political scientist Lori Williams says most Albertans polled have been very clear they don’t want either.

“Those who do see their views reflected in it may think that it is more legitimate,” said Williams of Mount Royal University.

“But ultimately, I think there will be real questions about the exercise, the time spent on it, the money that is expended on it when there is already pretty good information out there about what people in Alberta do or don’t support.”

The panel town halls are set to wrap up in Calgary at the end of September. The topics discussed may then end up on provincial referendum ballots next year.

At the same time, six online surveys were launched on the panel’s website, which are to help inform those potential referendum questions.

–With files from The Canadian Press