Albertans will head to the polls on October 19 to vote on a provincial referendum addressing immigration policy and constitutional changes, following recommendations from the Alberta Next Panel.
The referendum includes nine questions split between non-constitutional and constitutional issues. Premier Danielle Smith said Alberta's future must be shaped by the people who live and work here and the referendum gives Albertans a direct say on matters affecting the economy, public services, and the province's future.
Reaction has been sharply divided. According to CBC, dozens gathered in freezing temperatures outside Alberta's legislature in Edmonton and at Calgary city hall over the weekend to protest the referendum and what they called separatist sentiment. Keith Weir, a retiree who attended the Edmonton rally, said the government is deteriorating what Canada provides. Marilyn Gaa from the Edmonton Raging Grannies said Smith is scapegoating immigrants to distract from the government's mismanagement of healthcare and education. NDP MLA David Shepherd said the referendum is dividing Albertans.
Meanwhile, callers to Smith's province-wide radio show expressed support, with one telling her she's "on the right track" and another saying new immigrants need to pay their own way.
The non-constitutional questions focus on immigration control and access to provincial services. Albertans will be asked whether they support the province taking increased control over immigration to decrease numbers to sustainable levels, prioritizing economic migration, and giving Albertans first priority on new jobs. Other questions ask whether non-permanent residents should be required to live in Alberta for 12 months before accessing social support programs, whether they should pay fees for healthcare and education, and whether proof of citizenship should be required to vote in provincial elections.
The constitutional questions ask whether Albertans support working with other provinces to amend the Constitution on several fronts: allowing provinces rather than the federal government to select judges for provincial courts, abolishing the unelected Senate, allowing provinces to opt out of federal programs in areas of provincial jurisdiction without losing funding, and giving priority to provincial laws over federal laws when they conflict in shared areas of jurisdiction.
Mickey Amery, minister of Justice and attorney general, said the referendum is a tangible way the government is prioritizing citizen needs and making Alberta stronger. The government says federal immigration policies over the past five years have put tremendous pressure on classrooms, emergency rooms, and social support systems.
