Alberta Premier Announces October 19th Referendum on Immigration and Constitution

Alberta is holding a referendum on October 19th with 9 questions on immigration and the Constitution. This is a big change from the usual process.
By Newsroom | Politics, Alberta |

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced plans for a provincial referendum to be held on October 19th. The referendum will present Albertans with nine questions, focusing on the province's control over immigration and potential changes to Canada's Constitution. The Premier stated that rapid population growth has strained social services, and the questions aim to address these concerns and assert provincial rights.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces fall referendum on immigration, constitutional questions - 1

Context and Timeline

Premier Smith's announcement came in a televised address on Thursday evening. The referendum is scheduled for October 19th, just one week before the provincial budget is due. This event follows a provincial tour last year, where public input was sought on restricting access to provincial services for newcomers. The referendum questions appear to reflect concerns raised during that panel tour.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces fall referendum on immigration, constitutional questions - 2

  • Key Dates:

  • October 19th: Referendum date.

  • Thursday evening: Premier Smith's televised address announcing the referendum.

  • Friday: Premier Smith scheduled a news conference for further details.

  • Actors:

  • Premier Danielle Smith: Announced the referendum and its aims.

  • Government of Alberta: Proposing the referendum questions.

  • Alberta's Official Opposition NDP: Planned to respond on Friday morning.

  • Albertans: The electorate who will vote on the referendum questions.

Referendum Questions and Themes

The nine questions will cover two main areas: immigration policy and constitutional matters. While the referendum avoids the topic of Alberta separatism, it aims to give the province more power in specific areas.

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces fall referendum on immigration, constitutional questions - 3

  • Immigration Control:

  • Should Alberta take more control over immigration to decrease levels and prioritize economic migration?

  • Should new job opportunities be prioritized for Albertans?

  • Should individuals with non-permanent legal immigration status reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before accessing social supports?

  • Should there be a fee for non-permanent immigrants to access social services?

  • Should only citizens, permanent residents, and those with an "Alberta-approved immigration status" be eligible for provincially-funded programs like healthcare and education?

  • Constitutional Changes:

  • Should Alberta work with other provinces to amend the Constitution to allow the province to appoint judges?

  • Should the federal Senate be abolished?

  • Should provinces be able to opt out of federal programs without losing federal funding?

  • Should provincial rights be protected from federal interference?

The referendum questions are designed to gauge public opinion on increasing provincial autonomy over immigration and on specific constitutional amendments, without broaching the subject of secession.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces fall referendum on immigration, constitutional questions - 4

Rationale for the Referendum

Premier Smith stated that rapid population growth in Alberta, with nearly 600,000 new residents in five years, has overwhelmed the province's schools, hospitals, and social programs. She believes the referendum will allow Albertans to have a say in managing these pressures and asserting the province's rights.

"The centrepiece of the premier’s Thursday night televised address was the announcement of a provincial referendum on Oct. 19, [which] will ask Albertans nine questions, however none touch on the province leaving Canada, a hot topic that has dominated headlines across the country in recent months."

"Premier Danielle Smith says out-of-control immigration levels are overwhelming the province’s core social services and has announced a referendum will take place nine months from now, asking residents to weigh in on nine questions addressing both that and possible changes to Canada’s Constitution."

Public Input and Existing Policies

The referendum questions reportedly reflect concerns previously raised during the "Alberta Next" panel tour last year. This tour sought public input on issues such as restricting access to provincial services for some newcomers.

Expert Analysis and Reaction

Official reactions from the Alberta NDP were expected on Friday morning. Details on the specific questions were provided through news reports, as the televised address did not include a question-and-answer session for reporters.

Read More: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to discuss immigration and spending on Thursday, February 22

Conclusion and Implications

The upcoming referendum presents a significant opportunity for Albertans to voice their opinions on key provincial and federal issues. The questions proposed touch upon sensitive areas of immigration and constitutional authority, potentially reshaping how newcomers access services and influencing Alberta's relationship with the federal government. The outcome of the referendum could inform future government policies and legal challenges.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the Alberta referendum and what is it about?
Alberta will hold a referendum on October 19th. Premier Danielle Smith announced it will ask Albertans nine questions about the province's control over immigration and possible changes to Canada's Constitution.
Q: Why is Alberta holding this referendum?
Premier Smith said that rapid population growth has put too much pressure on schools, hospitals, and social services. The referendum aims to let Albertans decide on managing these pressures and increasing provincial rights.
Q: What are the main topics of the referendum questions?
The referendum questions cover two main areas: immigration policy and constitutional matters. They ask about Alberta taking more control over immigration, prioritizing jobs for Albertans, and changing how newcomers access social services. They also ask about provincial powers in the Constitution, like appointing judges and opting out of federal programs.
Q: Will the referendum ask about Alberta leaving Canada?
No, the referendum questions do not touch on Alberta leaving Canada. Premier Smith stated that the questions are designed to increase provincial autonomy and address concerns about immigration and constitutional rights, but not separatism.
Q: Who will be affected by the referendum questions?
Albertans will vote on the questions, and the results could lead to changes in provincial policies. This could affect how immigrants access social services like healthcare and education, and how Alberta works with the federal government on immigration and constitutional issues.
Q: When will Albertans get more details about the referendum?
Premier Smith announced the referendum on a Thursday evening. She was scheduled to hold a news conference on Friday for more details about the specific questions and the process.