At the second “Alberta Next” town hall Monday night, Premier Danielle Smith faced an audience that felt less like loyal fans and more like reality‑TV judges, complete with boos, laughter, and a surprise level of contempt.
Some in the 500‑strong crowd were peeved over proposals like a provincial pension plan, a homegrown police force, and even immigration cap jokes, sparking everything from “horrible idea” sighs to “you idiots” jibes about scrapping the Canada Pension Plan.One attendee even cracked that Smith’s team sounded like “bratty children” demanding cookies.
About one‑third of the room showed up determined to roast the panel on stage. When talk turned to immigration permits and housing, Smith found herself fielding questions about “punching down on immigrants” while protesters outside brandished caricatures and Trump signs. At least one spectator must’ve thought they’d wandered into an edgy satirical show.
Despite the tension, Smith soldiered on, occasionally defending policies, sometimes begging for “a bit of courtesy,” and promising more shows in Fort McMurray and Lloydminster.
