Politics · Canada · 1 hr ago
Alberta voters back immigration restrictions in preliminary referendum results
Preliminary results show Alberta voters backed four immigration measures in a referendum, while a majority voted for the province to remain in Canada.
The measures ask whether Alberta should control immigration more, charge temporary residents for health care and education, restrict services by immigration status, and require a year of residence before access to social programs.
Migrant groups say the results have caused deep concern, including among temporary foreign workers worried they may have to pay for health care.
The questions reflect a wider debate over immigration in Alberta, where about 260,000 temporary residents made up 5.8 per cent of the population at the end of 2025.
Business groups have warned that restricting immigration could worsen labour shortages, and employers may end up covering proposed fees to keep workers.
Premier Danielle Smith has floated a $1,900 health-care fee for temporary residents, but the measures are proposals, not changes already in force.
Unofficial final results are expected by Wednesday evening, after which the provincial government may decide how to respond.
Preliminary results showed that a majority of Alberta voters backed four questions on immigration controls and restrictions on services for non-permanent residents and non-citizens.
The questions asked about provincial control over immigration, fees for temporary residents, eligibility rules for publicly funded services and a 12-month residency requirement for social programs.
Migrant advocacy groups said the results had caused concern among immigrant communities.
Ballots were still being counted on Tuesday evening, and Elections Alberta said unofficial final results were expected by Wednesday evening.
- Who
- Alberta voters. Migrant groups expressed alarm at the preliminary results.
- What
- A majority voted yes to four questions on immigration controls and access to provincially funded services.
- When
- Tuesday; ballots were still being counted that evening.
- Where
- Alberta, Canada.
- Why
- The questions asked whether the province should have more control over immigration and restrict temporary residents’ access to some public services.
Alberta voters supporting the measures
Migrant advocacy groups opposing the measures
Public services
Alberta voters supporting the measures
A majority voted yes to questions proposing fees or limits on temporary residents’ access to services.
Migrant advocacy groups opposing the measures
Migrant groups said temporary workers were concerned they might have to pay for health care.
Impact
Alberta voters supporting the measures
The questions proposed greater provincial control over immigration and new eligibility requirements.
Migrant advocacy groups opposing the measures
Avnish Nanda said following through could cause economic harm to the province.
Albertans voted in the referendum, including on four questions about immigration and access to public services.
Ballots were still being counted, while preliminary results showed majority support for all four questions.
Elections Alberta said unofficial final results to all the questions would be available by then.
- Preliminary result
- A majority voted yes to all four immigration-related questions
- Temporary residents
- Approximately 260,000 in Alberta
- Population share
- Approximately 5.8 per cent at the end of 2025
- Proposed health-care fee
- Premier Danielle Smith floated a $1,900 fee for temporary residents
- Final results
- Unofficial results expected by Wednesday evening
What people are saying
The immediate reaction from temporary foreign workers here is deep concern that they are going to have to start paying for health care
Even though Alberta voted to stay in Canada, for foreign workers, there’s nothing to celebrate today
The immigrant community feels scapegoated by these questions, and the responses to the questions
The bottom line is, if the Premier follows through on the results of the questions, it will cause economic harm to the province