September 3, 2025
RED FM News Desk
A town hall in Medicine Hat hosted by Premier Danielle Smith’s Alberta Next Panel turned tense Tuesday night as debate flared over whether immigrants are being unfairly blamed for the province’s challenges.
While topics such as a provincial police service and reforming equalization payments drew spirited but measured discussion, the province’s proposal to limit some newcomers’ access to social services drew strong reactions from the 400 people in attendance.
Several audience members voiced concern that government messaging risks stoking resentment toward immigrants.
“It’s really easy to scapegoat immigrants for all sorts of things that they are not particularly responsible for, and I’m concerned that this discussion is edging in that direction,” said one participant. Another attendee from Brooks warned the province’s language was “dangerous” and encouraged anti-immigrant sentiment at a time Alberta needs “to be building understanding and not fear.”
Smith defended the government’s approach, saying Alberta’s immigration strategy would focus on attracting people to fill available jobs. Panel moderator Bruce McAllister, who also serves as executive director of the premier’s office, framed the issue more bluntly: “Is it too many too fast and should we have more control over what we’re doing?”
The Medicine Hat event marked the latest stop in the premier’s town hall series, designed to highlight frustrations with the federal government that Smith says are fueling separatist sentiment.
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