Contrary to stereotypes, Albertans are very supportive of ideas outlined in the AFL’s new “Worker Agenda”
EDMONTON – Recent polls show that a clear majority of Albertans are still strongly opposed to the notion of separation from Canada. But, if Albertans are against independence, what are they for?
The answer may surprise some people. Contrary to stereotypes, Albertans seem to really like the ideas outlined in the Alberta Federation of Labour’s new “Worker Agenda.” A $20 minimum wage. Rent controls. Public auto insurance. Re-regulated power. Wages for public sector workers that keep up with inflation. An excess profits tax on companies that price gouge consumers. These are all ideas that get the nod from a majority of Albertans – and they’re all part of an alternative blueprint for Alberta’s future being developed by the AFL, Alberta’s largest worker advocacy organization.
“It’s clear to us that Albertans are tired of the culture of grievance and victimhood that the UCP represents and promotes,” said AFL president Gil McGowan. “That’s why we’ve made a forward-looking commitment to build a worker-focused policy roadmap that focuses on what we can do for ourselves, rather than what others are doing to us. We’re calling it the Worker Agenda.”
Support for the ideas included in the Worker Agenda was tested in a provincewide survey conducted by the respected polling firm Environics early in April. The results were intended for internal use only, to inform discussion at the AFL convention in Edmonton at the end of April. But the AFL has decided to release the results publicly to counteract the focus on separatism, which McGowan characterizes as “dangerous and deliberately divisive.”
“Instead of talking about separatism, our polling suggests that there is an appetite to have much more positive and productive conversations—about wages, affordability, jobs and the economy, democracy and how to adapt to a world that’s changing fast,” said McGowan. The results of our survey suggest that the Worker Agenda could help lead the way. At the very least, talking about our ideas would be more productive for Albertans than getting dragged down separatist rabbit holes.”
In addition to showing strong support for Worker Agenda policies, the survey also shows that Albertans don’t support Premier Danielle Smith’s approach to dealing with American president Donald Trump and would support using our oil as leverage in order to defend Canada against threats against our economy and our sovereignty.
“This polling is a rebuttal to right-wing stereotypes of Albertans,” said McGowan. “Albertans show a high level of support for policies that would take the province in a very different direction from the one we’re currently on. While Premier Smith has been trying to distract everyone by picking endless fights with Ottawa and stoking the fires of separatism, there is the potential to build consensus around policies that are much more positive for Alberta. We’re going to do everything we can to turn the conversation to this high road, as opposed remaining stuck on the low road.”
Highlights of the polling are summarized below.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Laurence Miall
Director of Communications and Campaigns, AFL
Phone: 780-977-8165
Email: lmiall@afl.org
ABOUT THE ENVIRONICS POLLING
A total of 1,003 Albertans completed this online survey between April 2 to 14, 2025. The survey data are weighted by region, age, and gender to match census data. Full polling results are available here.
• 401 surveys were completed among residents of Calgary, 301 in Edmonton and 301 in the rest of Alberta.
• Results are expressed as percentages. Results may not add to 100% due to rounding or multiple responses
HIGHLIGHTS OF POLL RESULTS
Thinking about the way things are going these days in Alberta, to what extent would you say that the province as a whole is on the right track, or the wrong track?
Wrong track: 59%
Right track: 41%
To what extent would you support or oppose each of the following things that some people say could help give working people more bargaining power and address the problem of wages not keeping up with the cost of living?
Raise the minimum wage in Alberta to $20/hour and then adjust it annually to keep up with inflation.
Support: 71%
Oppose: 21%
Make it easier for workers to form unions in their workplaces.
Support: 59%
Oppose: 26%
To what extent would you support or oppose each of the following proposed measures that some people say could help make life more affordable?
Auto insurance premiums in provinces with public auto insurance, like BC, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are much lower than in Alberta, therefore we should have a public auto insurance system in Alberta.
Support: 68%
Oppose: 17%
Alberta is the only province in Canada where prices charged by electrical power utilities are unregulated, and our power bills are the highest in the country. We should regulate power pricing like they do in other provinces to stop price gouging.
Support: 86%
Oppose: 9%
Dealing with Trump
Premier Danielle Smith has taken a different approach to dealing with Donald Trump and his threats against Canada than most other Canadian premiers. Instead of supporting pushing back against Trump through policies like counter tariffs and bans on the sale of American products, Smith has focused on what she describes as “diplomacy”. She has travelled repeatedly to the US to meet with allies and supporters of Trump. To what extent do you approve or disapprove of Danielle Smith’s approach to dealing with Donald Trump?
Disapprove: 53%
Approve: 36%
Here are two views on how we should respond to Donald Trump. Which is closer to your own point of view?
Danielle Smith says she will never support any measure that interrupts the flow of Alberta oil to the US, even if Trump continues with his tariff policies and threats to make Canada the 51st state.
Agree: 29%
Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan says we should make it clear to the Americans that we’re willing to use our oil as leverage to defend Canada against Trump’s attacks on our economy and our sovereignty.
Agree: 60%