Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her hand-picked panel faced a vocally critical and frustrated crowd at a town hall in Edmonton, the second in a series of summer events. Attendees challenged the panel on contentious issues such as creating a provincial police force, amending the constitution, taking greater control over immigration, and particularly a provincial pension plan, which most speakers opposed despite a show of hands indicating majority support. The event highlighted a clear divide among Albertans regarding the province's future and its relationship with the federal government, with some speakers pushing for separation.
‘Bratty children’: Alberta’s Smith faces criticism, anger at Edmonton panel town hall
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her hand-picked panel faced a vocally critical and frustrated crowd at a town hall in Edmonton, the second in a series of summer events. Attendees challenged the panel on contentious issues such as creating a provincial police force, amending the constitution, taking greater control over immigration, and particularly a provincial pension plan, which most speakers opposed despite a show of hands indicating majority support. The event highlighted a clear divide among Albertans regarding the province's future and its relationship with the federal government, with some speakers pushing for separation.
Trending- 1 24 hours earlier: Premier Smith received a warm welcome and widespread support in Red Deer.
- 2 Wednesday: The second town hall in a series took place in Edmonton.
- 3 Next month: The panel is scheduled to return to Edmonton for the third town hall.
- 4 Later in August: Additional town halls are set for Fort McMurray and Lloydminster.
- Premier Smith faces significant criticism and anger from a segment of the public
- A clear divide among Albertans on key provincial policies and the idea of separation is evident
- Ongoing public debate and scrutiny of the Alberta government's proposals
- Future town halls are scheduled to continue this public engagement
What: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her panel members faced criticism and anger at a town hall. Key issues debated included a provincial police force, constitutional amendments, immigration control, and a provincial pension plan. Protesters also gathered outside.
When: Wednesday (Edmonton town hall), 24 hours earlier (Red Deer town hall), next month (panel returns to Edmonton), later in August (Fort McMurray and Lloydminster town halls).
Where: Edmonton (specifically an Edmonton hotel ballroom), Fort Saskatchewan, Red Deer, Fort McMurray, Lloydminster, Ottawa (federal government context).
Why: The town hall was launched by Premier Smith to address public concerns over Prime Minister Mark Carney’s election win, which has fueled calls for Alberta to separate from Confederation. Attendees expressed frustration and challenged proposed provincial policies.
How: Smith and her panel assembled for a town hall where approximately 500 people attended. Attendees voiced their opinions, challenged the panel, and engaged in booing and cheering. Protesters gathered outside with banners. Smith defended her government's proposals.