Alberta Referendum: Voters Back Several Government Proposals

Preliminary results from Alberta’s referendum on nine questions related to immigration and constitutional reforms show majority support for most of the provincial government’s proposals.

About 58.6 per cent of voters supported giving Alberta greater control over immigration. Meanwhile, 57 per cent backed restricting access to services such as health care and education to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, while charging temporary residents fees for these services.

A total of 58.4 per cent supported requiring temporary residents to live in Alberta for 12 months before qualifying for provincial social support programs. Meanwhile, 63 per cent supported requiring proof of Canadian citizenship to vote in provincial elections.

Other proposals receiving majority support included giving the province authority over the selection of provincial court judges, supported by 51.2 per cent of voters; abolishing the federal Senate, supported by 52.5 per cent; and amending the Constitution to give provincial laws precedence over federal laws in the event of a conflict, supported by 51.5 per cent.

However, the proposal to allow Alberta to opt out of federal programs was rejected by a majority of voters.