Premier Smith emphasizes that farmers in Alberta are leaders.

Premier Smith recognizes Alberta farmers as innovators, and the government supports them throughout their efforts.
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During a visit to Medicine Hat, I acknowledged the recent lighting upgrades at Big Marble Farms with Minister Rebecca Schulz and MLA Justin Wright. This facility cultivates nearly 500,000 cucumber plants, 385,000 tomato plants, and utilizes 47,000 grow lights.

As a result, they are expected to provide more fresh produce year-round while also lowering emissions through innovative practices. Alberta continues to demonstrate its capabilities in feeding the world, strengthening the economy, and leading in agricultural technology.

Live Reporting of Premier Smith Alberta panel at Medicine Hat Town Hall


Good evening, everyone, and thank you for being here tonight. My name is Steven Buffalo, and I'm from the Samsung Cremation and Treaty Six area. It's great to be back in Medicine Hat, where I graduated from Medicine Hat College and was a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers hockey team.

I'm proud to be an Albertan and to be part of the Alberta Next panel, which aims to explore ways to improve our province's relationship with Ottawa. One of the key issues we face is the lack of respect from the federal government, particularly when it comes to our natural resources and economic development.

As a scout for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, I've had the opportunity to travel across the province and see the many challenges we face, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and economic growth. However, I believe that together, we can find solutions to these challenges and build a brighter future for all Albertans.

Our discussion tonight will focus on several key topics, including equalization and transfers, the Alberta Pension Plan, provincial police force, immigration reform, and provincial tax collection. These issues are crucial to our province's future, and we need your input to shape our approach.

First, let's talk about equalization and transfers. The current system is unfair to Alberta, as we contribute significantly more to the federal government than we receive in benefits. We need to explore ways to reform this system and ensure that our province receives a fair share of the revenue.

Next, we'll discuss the Alberta Pension Plan. Our province has a unique opportunity to create a pension plan that reflects our values and priorities. By creating our own plan, we can ensure that our seniors receive the benefits they deserve and that our economy grows and prospers.

Another critical issue is policing. Our province has a complex and diverse geography, and we need a police force that can respond to the unique needs of our communities. By creating a provincial police force, we can ensure that our communities receive the policing services they need and deserve.

Immigration reform is also a critical issue for our province. We need to ensure that our immigration system is fair and effective, and that it supports the economic and social needs of our communities. By working with the federal government and other stakeholders, we can create an immigration system that benefits all Albertans.

Finally, let's talk about provincial tax collection. Our province has the opportunity to take control of our own tax collection, which could lead to significant economic benefits and job creation. By collecting our own taxes, we can ensure that our economy grows and prospers, and that our communities receive the services they need.

In conclusion, tonight's discussion is an important step towards building a brighter future for all Albertans. We need your input and ideas to shape our approach to these critical issues. Let's work together to create a province that is prosperous, sustainable, and just for all.

Now, I'd like to turn the discussion over to our moderator, Bruce McAllister. Bruce will guide us through the discussion and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate.

Bruce: Thank you, Steven. Good evening, everyone. I'm Bruce McAllister, and I'll be moderating tonight's discussion. We have a great panel of experts and a engaged audience, so let's get started.

First, I'd like to introduce our premier, Danielle Smith, who will provide some opening remarks.

Premier Smith: Thank you, Bruce. Good evening, everyone. I'm excited to be here tonight to discuss the important issues facing our province. As premier, my goal is to ensure that our province is prosperous, sustainable, and just for all Albertans.

We face many challenges, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and economic growth. However, I believe that together, we can find solutions to these challenges and build a brighter future for all Albertans.

Tonight's discussion will focus on several key topics, including equalization and transfers, the Alberta Pension Plan, provincial police force, immigration reform, and provincial tax collection. These issues are crucial to our province's future, and we need your input to shape our approach.

I'm committed to listening to your ideas and concerns, and to working with our panel of experts to find solutions to the challenges we face. So, let's get started, and let's work together to build a brighter future for all Albertans.

Bruce: Thank you, Premier Smith. Now, let's move on to our first topic, equalization and transfers. We have a video presentation that will provide some background information on this issue.

Video Presentation: The current equalization and transfer system is unfair to Alberta, as we contribute significantly more to the federal government than we receive in benefits. This system is based on a complex formula that takes into account a province's revenue and expenditure needs. However, this formula is flawed, and it does not accurately reflect the needs of our province.

We need to explore ways to reform this system and ensure that our province receives a fair share of the revenue. One possible solution is to create a new system that is based on a province's economic performance, rather than its revenue and expenditure needs.

Bruce: Thank you for the video presentation. Now, let's open the discussion to our panel of experts. We have several panelists who will provide their perspectives on this issue.

Panelist 1: Thank you, Bruce. I agree that the current equalization and transfer system is unfair to Alberta. We need to explore ways to reform this system and ensure that our province receives a fair share of the revenue. One possible solution is to create a new system that is based on a province's economic performance, rather than its revenue and expenditure needs.

Panelist 2: I disagree. The current system is fair and effective. It ensures that all provinces receive the funding they need to provide essential services to their citizens. We should not make changes to this system without careful consideration of the potential consequences.

Bruce: Thank you, panelists. Now, let's open the discussion to the audience. Do you have any questions or comments on this issue?

Audience Member 1: Yes, I do. I think that the current system is unfair to Alberta, and we need to explore ways to reform it. However, I'm not sure that creating a new system based on economic performance is the solution. What are the potential consequences of such a system, and how would it be implemented?

Audience Member 2: I agree that the current system is unfair, but I'm not sure that reforming it is the solution. What about other options, such as increasing our province's revenue through economic growth or reducing our expenditure needs through efficiency measures?

Bruce: Thank you for your questions and comments. We'll continue this discussion and explore the various options for reforming the equalization and transfer system.

As we continue this discussion, I'd like to remind everyone that our goal is to find solutions to the challenges we face, and to build a brighter future for all Albertans. We need your input and ideas to shape our approach, so please don't hesitate to participate in the discussion.

Now, let's move on to our next topic, the Alberta Pension Plan. We have a video presentation that will provide some background information on this issue.

Video Presentation: The Alberta Pension Plan is a critical issue for our province, as it affects the retirement security of many Albertans. The current plan is based on a complex formula that takes into account an individual's earnings and years of service. However, this formula is flawed, and it does not accurately reflect the needs of our province.

We need to explore ways to reform this system and ensure that our seniors receive the benefits they deserve. One possible solution is to create a new plan that is based on a individual's economic performance, rather than their earnings and years of service.

Bruce: Thank you for the video presentation. Now, let's open the discussion to our panel of experts. We have several panelists who will provide their perspectives on this issue.

Panelist 3: Thank you, Bruce. I agree that the current pension plan is flawed, and we need to explore ways to reform it. One possible solution is to create a new plan that is based on a individual's economic performance, rather than their earnings and years of service.

Panelist 4: I disagree. The current plan is fair and effective, and it ensures that our seniors receive the benefits they deserve. We should not make changes to this plan without careful consideration of the potential consequences.

Bruce: Thank you, panelists. Now, let's open the discussion to the audience. Do you have any questions or comments on this issue?

Audience Member 3: Yes, I do. I think that the current plan is flawed, and we need to explore ways to reform it. However, I'm not sure that creating a new plan based on economic performance is the solution. What are the potential consequences of such a plan, and how would it be implemented?

Audience Member 4: I agree that the current plan is flawed, but I'm not sure that reforming it is the solution. What about other options, such as increasing the retirement age or reducing the benefits?

Bruce: Thank you for your questions and comments. We'll continue this discussion and explore the various options for reforming the Alberta Pension Plan.

As we continue this discussion, I'd like to remind everyone that our goal is to find solutions to the challenges we face, and to build a brighter future for all Albertans. We need your input and ideas to shape our approach, so please don't hesitate to participate in the discussion.

Now, let's move on to our next topic, provincial police force. We have a video presentation that will provide some background information on this issue.

Video Presentation: The provincial police force is a critical issue for our province, as it affects the safety and security of many Albertans. The current system is based on a complex formula that takes into account a province's crime rate and policing needs. However, this formula is flawed, and it does not accurately reflect the needs of our province.

We need to explore ways to reform this system and ensure that our communities receive the policing services they need. One possible solution is to create a new system that is based on a province's economic performance, rather than its crime rate and policing needs.

Bruce: Thank you for the video presentation. Now, let's open the discussion to our panel of experts. We have several panelists who will provide their perspectives on this issue.

Panelist 5: Thank you, Bruce. I agree that the current system is flawed, and we need to explore ways to reform it. One possible solution is to create a new system that is based on a province's economic performance, rather than its crime rate and policing needs.

Panelist 6: I disagree. The current system is fair and effective, and it ensures that our communities receive the policing services they need. We should not make changes to this system without careful consideration of the potential consequences.

Bruce: Thank you, panelists. Now, let's open the discussion to the audience. Do you have any questions or comments on this issue?

Audience Member 5: Yes, I do. I think that the current system is flawed, and we need to explore ways to reform it. However, I'm not sure that creating a new system based on economic performance is the solution. What are the potential consequences of such a system, and how would it be implemented?

Audience Member 6: I agree that the current system is flawed, but I'm not sure that reforming it is the solution. What about other options, such as increasing the number of police officers or improving their training?

Bruce: Thank you for your questions and comments. We'll continue this discussion and explore the various options for reforming the provincial police force.

As we continue this discussion, I'd like to remind everyone that our goal is to find solutions to the challenges we face, and to build a brighter future for all Albertans. We need your input and ideas to shape our approach, so please don't hesitate to participate in the discussion.

Now, let's move on to our next topic, immigration reform. We have a video presentation that will provide some background information on this issue.

Video Presentation: Immigration reform is a critical issue for our province, as it affects the economic and social needs of our communities. The current system is based on a complex formula that takes into account a province's economic performance and labor market needs. However, this formula is flawed, and it does not accurately reflect the needs of our province.

We need to explore ways to reform this system and ensure that our communities receive the immigration services they need. One possible solution is to create a new system that is based on a province's economic performance, rather than its labor market needs.

Bruce: Thank you for the video presentation. Now, let's open the discussion to our panel of experts. We have several panelists who will provide their perspectives on this issue.

Panelist 7: Thank you, Bruce. I agree that the current system is flawed, and we need to explore ways to reform it. One possible solution is to create a new system that is based on a province's economic performance, rather than its labor market needs.

Panelist 8: I disagree. The current system is fair and effective, and it ensures that our communities receive the immigration services they need. We should not make changes to this system without careful consideration of the potential consequences.

Bruce: Thank you, panelists. Now, let's open the discussion to the audience. Do you have any questions or comments on this issue?

Audience Member 7: Yes, I do. I think that the current system is flawed, and we need to explore ways to reform it. However, I'm not sure that creating a new system based on economic performance is the solution. What are the potential consequences of such a system, and how would it be implemented?

Audience Member 8: I agree that the current system is flawed, but I'm not sure that reforming it is the solution. What about other options, such as increasing the number of immigrants or improving their integration into our communities?

Bruce: Thank you for your questions and comments. We'll continue this discussion and explore the various options for reforming the immigration system.

As we continue this discussion, I'd like to remind everyone that our goal is to find solutions to the challenges we face, and to build a brighter future for all Albertans. We need your input and ideas to shape our approach, so please don't hesitate to participate in the discussion.

Now, let's move on to our next topic, provincial tax collection. We have a video presentation that will provide some background information on this issue.

Video Presentation: Provincial tax collection is a critical issue for our province, as it affects the economic growth and development of our communities. The current system is based on a complex formula that takes into account a province's economic performance and tax revenue needs. However, this formula is flawed, and it does not accurately reflect the needs of our province.

We need to explore ways to reform this system and ensure that our communities receive the tax collection services they need. One possible solution is to create a new system that is based on a province's economic performance, rather than its tax revenue needs.

Bruce: Thank you for the video presentation. Now, let's open the discussion to our panel of experts. We have several panelists who will provide their perspectives on this issue.

Panelist 9: Thank you, Bruce. I agree that the current system is flawed, and we need to explore ways to reform it. One possible solution is to create a new system that is based on a province's economic performance, rather than its tax revenue needs.

Panelist 10: I disagree. The current system is fair and effective, and it ensures that our communities receive the tax collection services they need. We should not make changes to this system without careful consideration of the potential consequences.

Bruce: Thank you, panelists. Now, let's open the discussion to the audience. Do you have any questions or comments on this issue?

Audience Member 9: Yes, I do. I think that the current system is flawed, and we need to explore ways to reform it. However, I'm not sure that creating a new system based on economic performance is the solution. What are the potential consequences of such a system, and how would it be implemented?

Audience Member 10: I agree that the current system is flawed, but I'm not sure that reforming it is the solution. What about other options, such as increasing the tax rate or improving the efficiency of the tax collection process?

Bruce: Thank you for your questions and comments. We'll continue this discussion and explore the various options for reforming the provincial tax collection system.

As we conclude this discussion, I'd like to remind everyone that our goal is to find solutions to the challenges we face, and to build a brighter future for all Albertans. We need your input and ideas to shape our approach, so please don't hesitate to participate in the discussion.

Thank you to our panel of experts, and thank you to our audience for your participation. Let's work together to build a brighter future for all Albertans.