{"id":486714,"date":"2026-02-20T03:05:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T03:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/486714\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T03:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T03:05:13","slug":"albertans-to-vote-in-october-immigration-referendum-premier-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/486714\/","title":{"rendered":"Albertans to vote in October immigration referendum: Premier Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Albertans appear to be headed toward potential referenda this fall, only not on the specific topic of separation, but instead on issues related to immigration.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the word from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who addressed citizens via a televised message on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n

In the address, Smith led off by praising the continued growth of the Alberta economy, underpinned by a recent energy agreement with the federal government. The premier also mentioned data centre announcements, TMX expansion, and a Dow Chemicals decision on a plastics facility as helping lead Alberta\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n

Though the economic growth is welcome, there are budget challenges ahead, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the year I became Premier, the price of oil averaged $90 a barrel US,\u201d read a copy of the speech. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThese strong oil prices saw our budget enjoy royalty revenues of over $25 billion dollars and a surplus of around $11.6 billion dollars, which we used to build up the Heritage Fund and pay down provincial debt.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the same picture now, with oil prices in the $60 range, and each $1 drop representing $750 million in revenues, Premier Smith said.<\/p>\n

Despite this, Smith said Alberta has experienced continued economic growth due to the diversification of provincial industry \u2013 and that\u2019s attracted attention from the outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo put it bluntly, people across the country and around the world continue to want to move to our province in very large numbers to pursue job opportunities and prosperity,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n

Smith blamed former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau\u2019s immigration policies, which she said brought more than 600,000 people to the province in just five years.<\/p>\n

According to Statistics Canada data, Alberta\u2019s population was 4.324 million in Q1 of 2019 and broke the five million barrier in Q2 of 2025. That represents a roughly 16 per cent increase in six years.<\/p>\n

Queue the October referendum<\/p>\n

Smith blamed the influx of new Albertans for putting strain on Alberta schools, hospital and social support systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs just one example, our student population has skyrocketed by more than 80,000 students in just the last 4 years, with more than 140,000 students now having English as their additional language,\u201d according to the speech.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it any wonder that our teachers and students are struggling so much with classroom complexity and crowding?\u201d<\/p>\n

To deal with Alberta immigration issues, there will be a five-question referendum, which the Premier said was shaped by contributions to the Alberta Next panel town halls and online submissions.<\/p>\n

It will deal with the province taking more control of immigration, limiting access to health, education, and social programs to only Canadian citizens and permanent residents, or charging a premium for immigrants to access them, requiring a year of residency before qualifying for programs, and introducing a mandatory citizenship declaration to participate in a provincial election.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that as a province we will thoughtfully ponder, debate and ultimately come to a wise decision on these questions that will benefit our families and our fellow Albertans for generations, just as we\u2019ve always done,\u201d Premier Smith said.<\/p>\n

While the Opposition NDP was under embargo, and an official response will be provided on Friday morning, they did pre-respond before the address on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlbertans will be listening for solutions to the crisis in health care, education, and the rising cost of living. That\u2019s not what they\u2019ll get.\u00a0 Instead, Smith will distract, scapegoat, and play the blame game.\u00a0She will not be accountable for the issues Albertans are facing \u2013 problems she and her government created,\u201d read the prepared media statement from Alberta NDP Deputy Leader Rakhi Pancholi. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cOur education system is the lowest funded per-student in the country, our hospitals and health-care system are\u00a0in chaos, and\u00a0the cost of living is still increasing. Albertans deserve a government that puts their needs first, not one that points fingers and shifts blame for their mismanagement of Alberta\u2019s finances and essential services.\u201d<\/p>\n

Public Interest Alberta called the Premier\u2019s message on course with a \u201creckless, Trumpian agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a time when all Canadians should be coming together to put forward a vision and plan in stark contrast to Trump and MAGA,\u201d read a message from Bradley Lafortune, executive director.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead, Danielle Smith and the UCP are in lock step with a government that is murdering its own citizens south of the border, attempting to cover up the biggest corruption and criminal scandal in its history, and dismantling democracy before our eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

There will also be a handful of other constitutional questions on the referendum ballot. COPY BELOW<\/p>\n

The scheduled date for the referendum is Oct. 19, 2026. <\/p>\n

Liked it? Take a second to support Darren Krause on Patreon!<\/p>\n

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