Alberta
No Matter Which Formula, Albertans Win With An Alberta Pension Plan
From the Alberta Institute
Guest Post By Lindsay Wilson
Opponents of the Alberta Pension Plan (APP) have wasted no time busting out the pitchforks, with their legacy media lapdogs hard at work toeing the line for the union big wigs and their NDP friends.
It’s merely weeks into the launch of a province-wide public consultation to educate and get feedback from Albertans on an APP and there is no shortage of Trudeau-funded media penning pieces laden with misinformation.
They’re pushing a fear-based narrative that has seniors running scared and reasonable people questioning whether the bold move isn’t a little selfish which is no different than what Quebec has been doing — quite successfully — since day one.
For us here at Alberta Proud, we not only think opting out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and establishing an APP is a great idea — it’s a critical step toward more Alberta autonomy.
If we don’t, will we ever achieve much of anything in the arena of autonomy? Think about it: if we can’t win a referendum on the one thing we don’t need permission from Ottawa to do, where does that leave us?
More Alberta and Less Ottawa isn’t just a pie in the sky for us at Alberta Proud. It’s our mantra.
We genuinely believe enough is enough. It’s time for Ottawa to take a hike, including their antiquated equalization formula that you voted 62% in favour of scrapping.
We now have an opportunity to leave the CPP, in favour of a made-in-Alberta plan which must offer the same or better benefits. And it will, without question, put more money into your pocket every year as we finally won’t be overcontributing.
The newest twist in the anti-APP narrative is casting doubt on the formula the independent, government-commissioned LifeWorks report produced: that 53% of the CPP assets ($334 billion) would be owed to Alberta.
By switching to an APP, that translates to putting an additional $1,425 back into each employee’s pocket, according to LifeWorks, and when you consider the employer’s contribution, that amount is effectively doubled.
That’s a huge incentive for Alberta employers, those coming here to work and for the majority of hard-working everyday people who are drowning in this era of inflation (or #justinflation as we like to call it at Alberta Proud).
Meanwhile in the mainstream media, economist Trevor Tombe is balking at the math, claiming Albertans will be owed around one-third of what LifeWorks has assessed.
While it may seem odd everyone is arriving at different numbers, here is the kicker: even if we leave with only 17% (among the lower estimates floating around and not the 25% estimated by Tombe or the 53% estimated by LifeWorks) it’s still a better deal for Albertans.
But how, you ask? Simply put, we would finally get a break from this hidden transfer program, which is yet another way in which hardworking Albertans subsidize the rest of the country.
We have a comparatively younger population and because of this, we have paid more than we have collected. It has always been this way for us, and it doesn’t look like that will change. In the past year, a record 185,000 new Albertans moved here to work and take advantage of our low taxes and abundant opportunities. Any way you slice it, our contribution rate would fall.
Another concern is around who will manage an APP.
While the opposition is quick to point out CPP investment returns have been decent and that an APP would be best not left in the hands of AIMCo, did you know we could very well use the same pension fund manager as the CPP or another arms-length, third party?
By putting Alberta first, you will not risk your pension.
By switching to an APP, you will put more money in your pocket.
Ottawa has long turned its back on Albertans and continues to hit us with eco-radical regulations that will leave us broke and freezing in the dark. If we stay in the CPP, we are sending them a message that they can keep pushing us around, forever, no matter what they do to us.
It’s time for a change.
So, take a moment to fill out the Alberta government survey.
Send emails to your MLA, Finance Minister Nate Horner and Premier Danielle Smith. Show up to the townhalls.
Alberta’s future of more autonomy depends on all of us getting loud and Alberta Proud!
Lindsay Wilson is the President of Alberta Proud, a group of citizens concerned about Alberta’s future within Canada.
Alberta
Emissions Reduction Alberta offering financial boost for the next transformative drilling idea
From the Canadian Energy Centre
$35-million Alberta challenge targets next-gen drilling opportunities
‘All transformative ideas are really eligible’
Forget the old image of a straight vertical oil and gas well.
In Western Canada, engineers now steer wells for kilometres underground with remarkable precision, tapping vast energy resources from a single spot on the surface.
The sector is continually evolving as operators pursue next-generation drilling technologies that lower costs while opening new opportunities and reducing environmental impacts.
But many promising innovations never reach the market because of high development costs and limited opportunities for real-world testing, according to Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA).
That’s why ERA is launching the Drilling Technology Challenge, which will invest up to $35 million to advance new drilling and subsurface technologies.
“The focus isn’t just on drilling, it’s about building our future economy, helping reduce emissions, creating new industries and making sure we remain a responsible leader in energy development for decades to come,” said ERA CEO Justin Riemer.
And it’s not just about oil and gas. ERA says emerging technologies can unlock new resource opportunities such as geothermal energy, deep geological CO₂ storage and critical minerals extraction.
“Alberta’s wealth comes from our natural resources, most of which are extracted through drilling and other subsurface technologies,” said Gurpreet Lail, CEO of Enserva, which represents energy service companies.
ERA funding for the challenge will range from $250,000 to $8 million per project.
Eligible technologies include advanced drilling systems, downhole tools and sensors; AI-enabled automation and optimization; low-impact rigs and fluids; geothermal and critical mineral drilling applications; and supporting infrastructure like mobile labs and simulation platforms.
“All transformative ideas are really eligible for this call,” Riemer said, noting that AI-based technologies are likely to play a growing role.
“I think what we’re seeing is that the wells of the future are going to be guided by smart sensors and real-time data. You’re going to have a lot of AI-driven controls that help operators make instant decisions and avoid problems.”
Applications for the Drilling Technology Challenge close January 29, 2026.
The Police Review Commission (PRC) is now fully operational, giving Albertans a single, independent process to file policing complaints and ensure accountability.
Alberta’s government is putting the province at the forefront of police oversight in Canada with the creation of the PRC. This new commission replaces the current patchwork of police investigating police with one independent body responsible for receiving complaints, conducting investigations and overseeing disciplinary hearings. By centralizing these functions within a single, independent agency, Alberta is ensuring complaints are handled fairly and consistently.
“The Police Review Commission represents a new era in how Alberta addresses policing complaints. These changes are part of a broader paradigm shift where police are no longer seen as an arm of the state, but rather an extension and a reflection of the community they serve. As an independent agency, it is committed to fairness, accountability and public trust, ensuring every complaint is investigated impartially and resolved openly.”
The Police Amendment Act, 2022 laid the groundwork for this new model, establishing a modern approach to oversight built on accountability, consistency and public confidence. The PRC will manage the full complaints process from receiving and assessing, to investigating and resolving complaints related to police conduct, including serious incidents and statutory offences.
“The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police welcomes the launch of the Police Review Commission as a meaningful step toward enhanced oversight and greater transparency in policing. By ensuring complaints are reviewed fairly and impartially, the Commission will help strengthen accountability and reinforce public trust in Alberta’s police agencies. Police leaders across the province are committed to working with the Commission and our communities to ensure every Albertan has confidence in the integrity of our police services.”
A timely and transparent complaint resolution process is essential for both the public and police. That is why the PRC must complete investigations within 180 days, and if more time is needed, the chief executive officer must publicly report on delays and provide justification. This ensures clarity, predictability and accountability throughout the process. The commission will be arm’s length from government and police services, meaning people can have greater confidence that their complaints will be investigated and resolved impartially.
“Our goal is to build trust in policing by delivering timely resolutions and fair, consistent outcomes that put people first. Every complaint will be reviewed thoroughly and handled with the transparency and respect Albertans expect and deserve.”
The PRC can also initiate systemic reviews related to police conduct or emerging trends without the need for a public complaint, and these reviews must be made public. Together, these measures create a clear, accountable process that strengthens transparency, supports continuous improvement and enhances trust in how police oversight is carried out across Alberta.
“Public safety and the confidence the public has in our police services and service members are incumbent for effective and responsible service delivery. The PRC has been developed so that Albertans may have a responsible and impartial mechanism to voice concerns regarding delivery of policing services in Alberta. I am confident that the PRC will be an inclusive and diverse representation of the communities, so we may better understand the most appropriate and effective way to respond to concerns regarding police services. I look forward to the positive outcomes for the community.”
The commission’s design was informed by engagement with Indigenous communities, law enforcement partners, municipal officials and community organizations, ensuring its structure and training reflect Alberta’s diversity and values.
Quick facts
- The PRC will handle complaints in three categories:
- Level 1: Death, serious injury and serious or sensitive allegations involving all police services in Alberta, as well as peace officer agencies.
- Level 2: Allegations of criminal and other statutory offences involving all police services in Alberta.
- Level 3: Complaints about non-criminal misconduct involving officers employed by municipal and First Nations police services.
- Complaints that fall outside the three categories will be referred to the appropriate bodies or agencies for review.
- The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) will now operate under the PRC.
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