Tensions high at town hall as Alberta Next Panel faces polarized crowd in Edmonton

A polarized crowd shouted at each other — and at Premier Danielle Smith — at the third Alberta Next town hall in Edmonton Thursday night.

The 16-member panel, chaired by Smith, are holding 10 town halls across Alberta this summer to hear what people think about some proposals for how the province can reset its relationship with the federal government.

The panellists found a skeptical and critical audience in west Edmonton. Some in the crowd laughed at Smith, when she said in her introductory remarks, "when Edmonton speaks, we listen."

Many in the audience jeered at the videos that introduced each of the topics, particularly the section on leaving the Canada Pension Plan in favour of an Alberta plan. Some even pushed back at the premise of the panel.

"Alberta doesn't really want you doi