What these Alberta Next town halls are trying to sell

West of Centre

The Alberta Next tour is only two stops in and critics already say it feels less like a neutral consultation than a sales exercise for provincial moves, including setting up an Alberta pension plan, a provincial police service and a homegrown tax collection agency.

Former NDP staffer Shannon Greer likened the events to a timeshare presentation, citing high‑production videos, tightly managed messaging and survey questions that she said steered respondents. Former UCP staffer Colin Aitchison acknowledged some questions were leading but argued Premier Danielle Smith could have staged a purely partisan event or gone straight to a referendum if she wanted a predetermined outcome. Neither were surprised the town halls attracted separatists and federalists alike.

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi — newly sworn in as MLA for Edmonton–Strathcona — is launching a counter roadshow dubbed the “Better Together” summer tour built around a pro‑Canada message. Journalist Jason Markusoff questions whether either program will achieve its aims.

The competing tours unfold amid friction on two fronts: between Alberta and Ottawa, and between the province and municipalities — both centred on jurisdictional reach. While Smith accuses the federal government of overstepping, several mayors accuse her government of doing the same on local matters ranging from bike lanes to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Colin Aitchison, Shannon Greer, Jason Markusoff