Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA and cabinet minister Jason Nixon says the So Alberta, What’s Next panel’s examination of immigration policy in the province should not be a concern for residents.
“I think at the end, politicians and the general public should always be happy to have the government go around having consultations and conversations with Albertans,” Nixon told the Albertan.
“While we need immigration in our country and we continue to want to be able to make sure that Canada can grow, it’s definitely been a hot topic. The federal government has acknowledged that they got immigration wrong as far as numbers over the last couple years and created challenges across the social services system.
“So I think it is fair that the What Next panel will have a conversation about that.”
The official Opposition calls the panel initiative an effort to promote the premier’s political agenda.
Made up of UCP MLAs, government appointed public members and chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, the Alberta Next panel will, according to the government, “bring together a broad mix of leaders, experts, and community voices to gather input, discuss solutions, and provide feedback to government on how Alberta can better protect its interests, defend its economy, and assert its place in Confederation.”
A online survey being conducted by the panel poses questions about several topics, including immigration.
A video accompanying the survey on the topic of immigration, states, “If Alberta isn’t satisfied with the number or kind 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.”
The survey questions regarding immigration ask: “Should Alberta take more control of the immigration system in this way or continue with the status quo (and) how can our province convince Ottawa to act more responsibly with their immigration policies in the future?”
In a statement provided to the Albertan, official Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi calls the Alberta Next initiative a “do-nothing panel that will cause serious damage to our economy and our reputation as a place to invest (and) is solely about (Premier Smith's) own political agenda and not the interests of Albertans.
“Even more worrisome, it’s full of extremist language that has no place in our province.”
Asked if the panel’s work can help address the issue of possible Alberta separation, MLA Nixon said, “Albertans are frustrated. We have been dealing with a federal government that is for the vast majority of Albertans appears to be hostile to our province.
“I think the premier going around having a conversation with Albertans gives us an opportunity to have some serious conversation with the feds about the impact of their policy choices on our province.”
In his statement to the Albertan, Nenshi said, “Albertans should ask why the premier is wasting even more money on this separatist pet project of hers when there are real issues we’re facing and need to be dealt with.”
