Politics · Canada · 1 day ago
Alberta campaign turns to nine ballot questions beyond separation
Alberta is preparing to vote in a referendum that includes a question on whether to remain in Canada or begin work toward another, binding vote on separation.
The ballot also has nine other questions about immigration, access to public services and changing the Constitution to give Alberta more power.
Support for separation has remained between 20 and 25 per cent during the campaign, while the nine other questions have received less attention.
Premier Danielle Smith says those proposals could give her government leverage with Ottawa and strengthen Alberta’s autonomy within Canada.
Her government is campaigning for voters to approve them and has set aside $4 million for advertising.
Some federalist campaigners want voters to reject the nine proposals, while some separatist groups are urging voters to ignore them.
The provincial government has given little detail about how it would put the proposals into effect if voters approve them.
Campaigns around Alberta’s referendum are increasingly focused on nine ballot proposals beyond the question of independence.
Some federalist campaigners want voters to reject the nine proposals, while some separatist groups are urging voters to ignore them.
The proposals include new fees for non-permanent residents using health care and education, limits on access to some social supports, and efforts to reopen the Canadian Constitution.
Premier Danielle Smith says the proposals could give her government a mandate to seek more autonomy for Alberta within Canada.
Support for separation has remained between 20 and 25 per cent during the campaign, while the nine other questions have received less scrutiny.
- Who
- Alberta voters, campaigners on both sides of the separation question, and Premier Danielle Smith.
- What
- Campaigns are focusing on nine ballot proposals about immigration, social supports and constitutional issues, as well as the independence question.
- When
- With little more than a week until the referendum, according to the article published October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Alberta, Canada.
- Why
- Federalist campaigners want voters to reject the proposals, while some separatists say voting on them would amount to capitulating to federalism. Smith says they could help Alberta gain more autonomy within Canada.
Federalist campaigners
Separatist camps
Strategy on the nine proposals
Federalist campaigners
Urge voters to reject the proposals, with some framing opposition as a rebuke of Smith’s leadership.
Separatist camps
Some urge voters to boycott the nine questions, arguing participation would be capitulating to federalism.
Separation question
Federalist campaigners
Some federalist leaders say they expect voters to reject the premise of Alberta becoming a separate country.
Separatist camps
The Alberta Prosperity Project urged voters to ignore the nine questions and choose the option to begin work toward a binding independence referendum.
We are very likely to reject the premise that we should be a separate country, but the other nine questions remain very much in play
IGNORE THE 9, VOTE OPTION 2
It’s up to us to make sure that people understand that they can oppose these questions and oppose Danielle Smith at the same time
We want to seek a mandate on that, and if people want to change the relationship with Ottawa, that’s the best way to do it.
Smith was asked how she and her United Conservative Party would work to get out the federalist vote and said she wanted people to vote for the nine proposals.
The Alberta Prosperity Project posted a call on social media to ignore the nine questions and vote for option 2 on the independence question.
- Ballot proposals
- Nine questions beyond the independence question
- Separation support
- Between 20 and 25 per cent during the campaign
- Government advertising budget
- $4-million
- Third-party advertising limit
- Nearly seven times less than the government budget
- Main proposal areas
- Fees for non-permanent residents, social supports and constitutional change
Sources
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