Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is sending 10 questions to voters on Oct. 19, asking them to weigh changes to immigration policy and public-program eligibility, new voting requirements, constitutional amendments and whether the province should start the legal process for a binding separation referendum. The questions range from measures the provincial government could pursue to proposals that would require the support of other provinces and federal institutions.

The first asks whether Alberta should take greater control over immigration to reduce arrivals to more sustainable levels, prioritize economic migrants and give Albertans first priority for new jobs. Smith has said she wants an agreement similar to Quebec’s, which allows that province to set its own eligibility requirements for economic migrants under an accord with Ottawa.

In February, Smith described a “normal” and “sustainable” immigration level as less than one per cent of Alberta’s population, or about 50,000 newcomers annually. Critics say her government failed to plan for population growth after inviting newcomers through a countrywide advertising campaign in recent years.

The second question asks whether Alberta should pass a law limiting eligibility for provincially funded programs, including health care, education and other social services, to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people with an Alberta-approved immigration status. Smith has blamed rapid population growth over the past five years for straining public services.

The government website says temporary residents cost Alberta more than $1 billion in health care, education and social services. Critics dispute those figures and say the government is overlooking the economic contributions and benefits temporary residents bring. The effect of a yes vote is uncertain because the government says it will not define “Alberta-approved immigration status” until after the referendum.

Question 3 asks whether people with non-permanent legal immigration status should have to live in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for provincially funded social support programs. It assumes Canadian citizens and permanent residents would continue to qualify as they do now. The government says it will decide which programs would be affected after a yes vote.

Temporary workers are already ineligible for some provincial programs, including Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. The Canadian Bar Association’s provincial chapter says the proposed waiting period could conflict with the Canada Health Act or equality protections in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The fourth question asks whether Alberta should charge a reasonable fee or premium to people with non-permanent immigration status living in the province, covering their own and their families’ use of health care and education. Citizens and permanent residents would continue to qualify for public health care and education under the wording. The government has not set a possible charge, but Smith told Calgary business leaders on Sept. 22 that a health premium could reach $1,900.

Education leaders in Alberta have opposed restricting access to schooling, saying such limits would run counter to internationally agreed children’s rights. The referendum question does not specify the amount of any fee or premium, or how it would be applied.

Question 5 asks if voters support a law requiring people to prove their citizenship to vote in provincial elections. Examples listed include a passport, birth certificate or citizenship card. Voting is already limited to Canadian citizens, and Elections Canada and Elections Alberta have reported very few cases of ineligible voting.

Smith says proof requirements would strengthen the integrity of provincial elections. Critics argue the policy would make polling-place lineups take longer and could create opportunities for racial or ethnic bias at voting booths.

The next four questions concern constitutional amendments. Question 6 asks whether Alberta should work with other willing provinces to shift the selection of provincial King’s Bench and Appeal court justices from the federal government to provincial governments. A yes vote would commit Alberta to working with other provinces and federal lawmakers on constitutional change; it would not itself make the change.

General constitutional amendments usually require approval from seven provincial legislatures representing at least 50 per cent of Canada’s population, along with approval from the House of Commons and Senate in Ottawa. Question 7 asks whether Alberta should work with willing provinces to amend the Constitution to abolish the unelected federal Senate. That change would face a higher bar, requiring unanimous provincial approval as well as ratification by the Senate and House of Commons.

Question 8 asks whether Alberta should work with other willing provinces to amend the Constitution so provinces can opt out of federal programs in areas of provincial jurisdiction, including health care, education and social services, while keeping the associated federal funding for their own social programs. Ottawa’s “spending power” allows the federal government to attach conditions to transfers to provinces, with health-care funding under the Canada Health Act a key example. A permanent opt-out provision would require a constitutional amendment.

The ninth question asks whether the Constitution should be amended to give provincial laws priority over federal laws when they conflict in provincial or shared areas of jurisdiction. It proposes that Alberta work with other willing provinces toward that change. The amendment would need approval from the Senate, the House of Commons and seven provinces representing at least half of Canada’s population.

The final question asks voters to choose between Alberta remaining a province of Canada and the provincial government beginning the legal process required under the Constitution to hold a binding referendum on separation. The vote would concern starting that process, rather than deciding separation itself.

Separation advocates say Alberta should escape federal taxation and regulation to free up wealth and spur economic development. Federalists argue a split would harm businesses and leave the landlocked province with debt and the substantial cost of delivering services now provided federally.

Smith has described the other nine questions, on immigration and constitutional reform, as a political compromise intended to address Alberta’s grievances and give the province leverage with Ottawa while avoiding dismantling the country. The Canadian Press first published its report on the referendum questions on Sept. 26, 2026.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.