Alberta Government Denies Access to Survey Results, Sparks Controversy

The Alberta government has refused to release early results from its Alberta Next surveys, prompting Postmedia to file three formal requests for review with the province’s information and privacy commissioner. The surveys, which began on June 24, 2023, aimed to gauge public opinion on issues such as a potential provincial pension plan and immigration policies. Postmedia submitted its requests shortly after the surveys launched, seeking transparency regarding the responses.

In a series of letters sent on Wednesday, provincial officials stated they would not disclose any of the requested records. Each letter cited a provision in the Access to Information Act that allows the government to withhold information deemed as advice to officials. “Executive council has decided to refuse access to all of the records you requested,” the letters indicated. This clause is designed to protect information that could potentially reveal upcoming policy or budgetary decisions.

The exemption referenced by the province mirrors those previously employed by the finance department to justify withholding results from its own pension plan survey, which remained undisclosed for nearly two years, despite multiple requests from Postmedia. Recent mediation with the information commissioner led to the release of some results, revealing that only 10 percent of respondents supported the proposed pension plan.

The refusal to disclose results from the Alberta Next surveys is notable as the requests returned a total of 568 pages of data. Postmedia specifically sought responses to two multiple-choice questions regarding the proposed pension plan. One question highlighted the considerable difference between the approximately $3 billion that Alberta workers contribute annually to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) compared to the benefits received by Alberta seniors. Respondents were also asked about their concerns regarding the risks of opting out of the CPP to create a provincial pension system.

Additionally, Postmedia inquired about responses to a question on immigration that asked whether the provincial government should deny provincial programs to non-citizens and non-permanent residents without an Alberta government-approved immigration permit. The answers to this question accounted for 223 pages of records, all of which were withheld.

The premier’s office has not responded to inquiries regarding the integrity of the surveys or the rationale behind withholding the results. The Alberta Next surveys are part of a broader public consultation focusing on the province’s relationship with the federal government and remain accessible for public participation online.

Concerns have been raised regarding the surveys’ structure, with critics labeling some questions as leading. The surveys require participants to view videos before answering, and there was initially no option to express disagreement with the questions posed. In response to these critiques, the province incorporated options for dissent in later surveys regarding the pension plan, a proposed provincial police force, and tax collection agency. Despite this, the survey platform restricts individuals to submitting responses once.

The ongoing situation underscores the tension between the government’s push for public consultation and the public’s demand for transparency in decision-making processes. As Postmedia continues to pursue clarity on the survey results, the implications of these decisions may resonate throughout Alberta’s political landscape.