How's Alberta doing, really?

Join us for a discussion in your community this summer.

Alberta is having a moment, politically.

The past year has seen the province at the centre of some of the most turbulent and consequential debates in the country, from pitched battles over human rights to tense standoffs with the federal government. Premier Danielle Smith’s Sovereignty Act has tested the bounds of provincial autonomy, while controversies over improper government contracts, health care restructuring, and democratic backsliding continue to divide our communities.

Meanwhile, thousands of new residents are arriving in Alberta every month, bringing fresh perspectives to a political culture known for its stability.

In the midst of all this, Albertans are being asked — by governments, by media, and by each other — to define who they are and what they stand for.

That’s why our Common Ground team is hitting the road again this summer, continuing our annual tour of towns and cities across the province. We're hosting 90-minute focus groups in each location, and we’re inviting you — or someone you know — to take part.

Here’s when and where we’ll be:

• Edmonton – July 2 & 3

• St. Paul – July 9

• Lloydminster – July 10

• Lethbridge – July 29

• Hanna – July 30

• Calgary – August 5 & 6

• Grande Prairie – August 12

• High Level – August 13

• Fort McMurray – August 14

Each session lasts about an hour and a half. We’ll pay you $75 in cash for your time and insights.

Sign up now at commongroundpolitics.ca.

What We Do

If you've never participated in a Common Ground focus group before, know this: our conversations are anything but boring.

They’re fun, creative, and often surprising.

Yes: we talk politics. But not in a way that feels like a fight or debate.

In fact, we ask participants to leave their personal views at the door and explore how Albertans see each other instead.

We’re not looking for pundits or politicians. We’re looking for you: the people who live here and have something to say about life in Alberta today.

Why This Matters

Over the last five years, our team has spoken with more than 600 Albertans in focus groups and surveyed over 10,000 more. Our findings help policymakers, journalists, educators, and communities better understand this province as it really is — not just how it’s imagined on bumper stickers or campaign billboards.

Spread the Word

If you’re not able to join us, you can still help. Please:

• Share this post with your friends, family, or coworkers who live in or near any of the communities listed above

• Post about the tour on your Facebook, Bluesky, or other social networks

• Forward our sign-up link to folks in your network: commongroundpolitics.ca

One important note: if you’ve participated in a Common Ground focus group before, thank you! We’re focusing on new voices this year, but we’d love if you helped pass the word along.

We hope to see you soon,

Jared