On October 19, 2026, Albertans will participate in a provincial referendum, during which they will be asked to answer ten questions regarding immigration, public services, the electoral system, constitutional reform, and the province’s future relationship with the federal government of Canada. Information on all the questions has been published on the official referendum website launched by the Alberta government.
The referendum does not automatically change the law. Its results are intended to reflect the views of the province’s residents and may serve as a basis for future legislative initiatives or negotiations with the federal government.
What Questions Are on the Ballot
1. Control Over Immigration
Voters will be asked whether Alberta should be given more authority to manage immigration in order to reduce immigration rates, focus on economic immigration, and prioritize employment opportunities for provincial residents.
2. Access to Public Programs
Another question concerns whether eligibility for provincially funded programs (including health care, education, and social services) should be limited to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with status approved by Alberta.
3. Annual Residency Period
It is also proposed to determine whether individuals with temporary immigration status must reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before becoming eligible for certain provincial social programs.
4. Fees for Public Services
One of the most debated issues concerns the possibility of introducing a fee or insurance premium for people with non-permanent immigration status for using the health care and education systems. This issue has sparked discussions about a potential contribution of 1,900 CAD per year, although no such payment has been implemented at this time.
5. Proof of Citizenship When Voting
Voters will also be asked whether proof of citizenship (such as a passport or birth certificate) should be required to participate in provincial elections.
Constitutional Issues
Other questions concern potential amendments to the Canadian Constitution.
These include:
- granting provinces the right to appoint judges to provincial courts;
- abolishing the federal Senate;
- the ability to opt out of certain federal programs without losing the corresponding funding;
- strengthening the priority of provincial legislation in areas of shared jurisdiction.
Question 10 — On Alberta’s Future as Part of Canada
Question 10 deserves special attention, as it concerns the possibility of initiating a legal process to hold a future mandatory referendum on Alberta’s secession from Canada.
It is important to note that this is not a vote on the province’s secession. If a majority of voters support this option, the government will merely initiate the legal procedures required by the Constitution to hold a separate referendum on possible secession in the future.
What This Means for Albertans
For now, none of the questions on the referendum ballot change existing laws. Even if certain proposals are supported, the government will have to draft corresponding bills, and issues related to amending the Canadian Constitution will require separate negotiations with the federal government and other provinces.
The referendum is scheduled for October 19, 2026, and detailed information on all questions and the voting procedure is available on the official website created by the Government of Alberta.