Latest news with #AlbertaNext
Edmonton Journal
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Rob Breakenridge: Government needs to end the charade of Alberta Next
After they were clearly stung by the overwhelmingly negative response in their Alberta Pension Plan Survey, it's not surprising to see the Alberta government leaving less to chance with the Alberta Next process. Article content There's something to be said for a government that's genuinely interested in citizen feedback on important issues, but that assumes there's not a preferred or predetermined outcome. In that case, then, they needn't bother. Article content Article content Article content For example, the government is already altering some of the survey questions that deal with an Alberta Pension Plan, a Provincial Police Force, and an Alberta Revenue Agency. In all three cases, there was no option for respondents to disagree with the proposals (although folks who had already completed the survey aren't allowed to complete it a second time). Article content These are consequential and expensive changes, and Albertans deserve to be consulted before we go down these paths. However, it seems like those decisions have already been made, and this whole exercise is about providing cover. Article content The first two Alberta Next town halls were held in July, with three to follow in August and five more in September. There's still time for the government to ease up on the message control and allow this to be a genuine consultation. Article content Article content Even though some of the survey questions will finally offer a 'none of the above' option, there's still the issue of the government-produced videos that must be viewed before taking part in the surveys. These are clearly not objective and neutral presentations of the facts. Article content Article content The video that accompanies the questions about an Alberta Provincial Police Force was skewed enough to prompt a response last week from RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme. Again, there could be benefits to Alberta transitioning community policing to a provincial force. There could also be benefits to ending contract policing altogether and refocusing the RCMP on federal policing responsibilities. Article content But it's also a question that deserves a thorough and honest discourse. As the commissioner's three-page letter details, Alberta Next is falling short in that regard.
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Newcomers face rising racism in Alberta as province debates immigration policy
Alberta resident Shamaila Akram says she can handle the increase in racial slurs and derogatory comments being thrown at her, but she worries about her newcomer and immigrant clients. As debates unfold over Canada's immigration system, those who provide help to newcomers in Alberta say there has been an uptick of hostility toward immigrants. 'I hear from people in my own communities — women specifically who wear hijabs — many bad things and we realize there is a need to educate people,' said Akram, with Calgary's Centre for Newcomers. 'Clients are coming with severe anxiety and sometimes panic attacks after hearing racial slurs outside our door. We have instances where they're being harassed while walking in (the) downtown.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. People have also screamed, 'Go back to where you came from!' at Akram while she has been with her children multiple times this year, she said, and some have been aggressive. The Canadian Anti-Hate Network says charged debates about immigration in Canada and the United States are behind the rise in hostility toward immigrants online and in person. 'We have been noticing a large increase in online hatred towards migrants, and especially towards South Asian communities lately,' said Evan Balgord, the organization's executive director. 'We are seeing classically racist narratives being spread that groups of people are dirty, criminal, incompatible with society and dangerous.' In Calgary, Kelly Ernst, the Centre for Newcomers' chief program officer, says it has had to increase building security, reduce its online program marketing and bolster the number of workers on its crisis line for newcomers. Racialized workers at the centre are increasingly being harassed, and he said people often walk by screaming at the centre. Ernst said he and those working with immigrants noticed the increase in the last year as the immigration system returned to the spotlight. He said the ongoing Alberta Next panel led by Premier Danielle Smith that's touring the province to hear public grievances with the federal government is stoking that anger. 'Since (the) Alberta Next panel raised its ugly head, it's also created additional hostility with some of the comments associated to that,' he said. Ernst said he agrees that the population of newcomers in Canada and Alberta has exploded, but said governments need to stop using immigrants as scapegoats for housing and infrastructure issues. 'It's not the people themselves that are creating that particular strain,' Ernst said. 'The problem is government policy.' The Alberta Next panel has already made stops in Red Deer and Edmonton and will return to Edmonton again, with visits to Fort McMurray and Lloydminster in August. Six surveys launched on the panel's website help inform what questions the government is putting to locals, and one of them is about immigration. 'If Alberta isn't satisfied with the number or economic qualifications of newcomers moving to our province, we may have the option to withhold provincial social programs to any non-citizen or non-permanent resident who does not have an Alberta-approved immigration status,' says a video participants are required to view before taking the immigration survey. The Alberta Next Panel is asking YOU: Should Alberta take control of our own immigration system to ensure a more sustainable number of newcomers to contribute to our economy? Watch the video. Take the survey: The speaker in the video says although the federal government decides who is let into Canada, provinces pay for most social programs that they need. The video says immigration is to blame for high housing costs and unemployment rates, adding that 'many of the divisions and disputes that plague other countries have begun making their way into ours.' Smith's press secretary Sam Blackett said in a statement this week that the number of newcomers entering Canada needs to be sustainable. 'Everyone wanting to come should be committed to upholding the Canadian values of hard work, love of freedom and peaceful co-existence,' he said. '(Former prime minister) Justin Trudeau's Liberals upended Canada's immigration system for over a decade by instituting essentially an open borders policy that permitted millions annually to enter Canada, often without any sort of proper vetting, job prospects or needed employment skills. 'The results have been disastrous. Housing prices have skyrocketed, and unemployment keeps increasing as immigration outpaces job growth.' He said the province and federal government have a shared responsibility to manage the population. Alberta Immigration Minister Joseph Schow, in a statement, added, 'Alberta's government stands firmly against racism and continues working to build a province where everyone is respected _ no matter their cultural background or where they come from. 'Immigrants have been contributors to the economic and social fabric of Alberta, and they deserve to feel safe and respected in their communities.' Laurie Hauer, the interim executive director of Edmonton's Newcomer Centre, said education is the key. 'Immigration is vital for our economic growth, and it's really important to get that message out to people and understand those elements because what's coming out right now is just constantly, 'Immigrants are the problem,'' Hauer said. She said several of the centre's clients and workers have been accosted in the last year. Akram added, 'We need to work on ways of making our communities more safer rather than scapegoating the vulnerable and racialized minority groups. 'We're very proud of our diversity but we need to make sure that this pride is reflected in how we protect and support each other.' — With files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Newcomers face rising racism in Alberta as province debates immigration policy
Alberta resident Shamaila Akram says she can handle the increase in racial slurs and derogatory comments being thrown at her, but she worries about her newcomer and immigrant clients. Article content As debates unfold over Canada's immigration system, those who provide help to newcomers in Alberta say there has been an uptick of hostility toward immigrants. Article content Article content 'I hear from people in my own communities — women specifically who wear hijabs — many bad things and we realize there is a need to educate people,' said Akram, with Calgary's Centre for Newcomers. Article content Article content 'Clients are coming with severe anxiety and sometimes panic attacks after hearing racial slurs outside our door. We have instances where they're being harassed while walking in (the) downtown.' Article content Article content The Canadian Anti-Hate Network says charged debates about immigration in Canada and the United States are behind the rise in hostility toward immigrants online and in person. Article content Article content Racialized workers at the centre are increasingly being harassed, and he said people often walk by screaming at the centre. Article content Ernst said he and those working with immigrants noticed the increase in the last year as the immigration system returned to the spotlight. Article content Article content He said the ongoing Alberta Next panel led by Premier Danielle Smith that's touring the province to hear public grievances with the federal government is stoking that anger. Article content 'Since (the) Alberta Next panel raised its ugly head, it's also created additional hostility with some of the comments associated to that,' he said. Article content Ernst said he agrees that the population of newcomers in Canada and Alberta has exploded, but said governments need to stop using immigrants as scapegoats for housing and infrastructure issues. Article content 'It's not the people themselves that are creating that particular strain,' Ernst said. 'The problem is government policy.' Article content The Alberta Next panel has already made stops in Red Deer and Edmonton and will return to Edmonton again, with visits to Fort McMurray and Lloydminster in August. Article content Six surveys launched on the panel's website help inform what questions the government is putting to locals, and one of them is about immigration. Article content 'If Alberta isn't satisfied with the number or economic qualifications of newcomers moving to our province, we may have the option to withhold provincial social programs to any non-citizen or non-permanent resident who does not have an Alberta-approved immigration status,' says a video participants are required to view before taking the immigration survey.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta immigrants say seeing an uptick in anger, rise of racist narratives
EDMONTON – Alberta resident Shamaila Akram says she can handle the increase in racial slurs and derogatory comments being thrown at her, but she worries about her newcomer and immigrant clients. As debates unfold over Canada's immigration system, those who provide help to newcomers in Alberta say there has been an uptick of hostility toward immigrants. 'I hear from people in my own communities — women specifically who wear hijabs — many bad things and we realize there is a need to educate people,' said Akram, with Calgary's Centre for Newcomers. 'Clients are coming with severe anxiety and sometimes panic attacks after hearing racial slurs outside our door. We have instances where they're being harassed while walking in (the) downtown.' People have also screamed, 'Go back to where you came from!' at Akram while she has been with her children multiple times this year, she said, and some have been aggressive. The Canadian Anti-Hate Network says charged debates about immigration in Canada and the United States are behind the rise in hostility toward immigrants online and in person. 'We have been noticing a large increase in online hatred towards migrants, and especially towards South Asian communities lately,' said Evan Balgord, the organization's executive director. 'We are seeing classically racist narratives being spread that groups of people are dirty, criminal, incompatible with society and dangerous.' In Calgary, Kelly Ernst, the Centre for Newcomers' chief program officer, says it has had to increase building security, reduce its online program marketing and bolster the number of workers on its crisis line for newcomers. Racialized workers at the centre are increasingly being harassed, and he said people often walk by screaming at the centre. Ernst said he and those working with immigrants noticed the increase in the last year as the immigration system returned to the spotlight. He said the ongoing Alberta Next panel led by Premier Danielle Smith that's touring the province to hear public grievances with the federal government is stoking that anger. 'Since (the) Alberta Next panel raised its ugly head, it's also created additional hostility with some of the comments associated to that,' he said. Ernst said he agrees that the population of newcomers in Canada and Alberta has exploded, but said governments need to stop using immigrants as scapegoats for housing and infrastructure issues. 'It's not the people themselves that are creating that particular strain,' Ernst said. 'The problem is government policy.' The Alberta Next panel has already made stops in Red Deer and Edmonton and will return to Edmonton again, with visits to Fort McMurray and Lloydminster in August. Six surveys launched on the panel's website help inform what questions the government is putting to locals, and one of them is about immigration. 'If Alberta isn't satisfied with the number or economic qualifications of newcomers moving to our province, we may have the option to withhold provincial social programs to any non-citizen or non-permanent resident who does not have an Alberta-approved immigration status,' says a video participants are required to view before taking the immigration survey. The speaker in the video says although the federal government decides who is let into Canada, provinces pay for most social programs that they need. The video says immigration is to blame for high housing costs and unemployment rates, adding that 'many of the divisions and disputes that plague other countries have begun making their way into ours.' Smith's press secretary Sam Blackett said in a statement this week that the number of newcomers entering Canada needs to be sustainable. 'Everyone wanting to come should be committed to upholding the Canadian values of hard work, love of freedom and peaceful co-existence,' he said. '(Former prime minister) Justin Trudeau's Liberals upended Canada's immigration system for over a decade by instituting essentially an open borders policy that permitted millions annually to enter Canada, often without any sort of proper vetting, job prospects or needed employment skills. 'The results have been disastrous. Housing prices have skyrocketed, and unemployment keeps increasing as immigration outpaces job growth.' He said the province and federal government have a shared responsibility to manage the population. Alberta Immigration Minister Joseph Schow, in a statement, added, 'Alberta's government stands firmly against racism and continues working to build a province where everyone is respected — no matter their cultural background or where they come from. 'Immigrants have been contributors to the economic and social fabric of Alberta, and they deserve to feel safe and respected in their communities.' Laurie Hauer, the interim executive director of Edmonton's Newcomer Centre, said education is the key. 'Immigration is vital for our economic growth, and it's really important to get that message out to people and understand those elements because what's coming out right now is just constantly, 'Immigrants are the problem,'' Hauer said. She said several of the centre's clients and workers have been accosted in the last year. Akram added, 'We need to work on ways of making our communities more safer rather than scapegoating the vulnerable and racialized minority groups. 'We're very proud of our diversity but we need to make sure that this pride is reflected in how we protect and support each other.' — With files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2025.
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Brookman: Alberta Next panel needs to focus on right questions
There is an old business story about a company that brings out a new brand of dog food. The label was great, the advertising was extensive, even the pricing was good, but the sales were miserable. Article content The company called a meeting of its executives to see what the problem was and, during the heated discussions, a young assistant said, 'Gentlemen, the dogs won't eat it. I have a dog and it doesn't like the food.' Article content Article content Article content The current UCP Alberta Next panel reminds me of this story. It sounds good — a group of politicians and UCP supporters visiting Albertans to hear their opinions — but the people are not buying what they are selling. Article content Article content Living in Canada's richest province and enjoying the lowest taxes, the idea of separating from Canada is not only nonsensical, it is a non-starter with the vast majority of the public. Proud Albertans are also proud Canadians, and while we have our issues with Ottawa, separation appears to make no sense whatsoever except to a very small group of people who will never be happy. Article content Each time someone tries to talk about an independent Alberta, I keep thinking of Boris Johnson and Brexit. None of us wants that outcome. Article content But this Alberta Next panel has a great opportunity to do some excellent work as long as they are not trying to convince everyone that we need a new pension plan, a new police force and a separate country. Hopefully, they use this opportunity to learn what it is that the majority of Albertans are really hoping to emerge from these discussions. Article content Article content This past week, a good friend had to go to Saskatoon for back surgery. Now, there is a subject for panel debate. Article content After so much study by both Conservatives and NDP, after billions of dollars invested and working for years to appease unions, why are we still having long wait times for surgeries, long lineups at emergency departments and Albertans having to travel to other provinces, the United States or even Europe to get much-needed work done? What does the panel have to say about that? Article content Just throwing more money at this situation has not solved it, but somewhere there must be a solution or at least the seeds of a solution. Let's open that subject for debate.
