Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced that her government requires a "strong mandate" from Albertans to pursue constitutional and immigration changes through a fall referendum. However, she did not commit to upholding the results if voters reject the proposals.
Referendum Details and Website Launch
During a press conference on Thursday, Smith unveiled a new website dedicated to the nine referendum questions on immigration and the Constitution that will be put to Albertans on October 19. The site aims to provide information and clarify the government's rationale behind the questions.
"They are government-sponsored questions, so I'm not going to just be a bystander in this," Smith stated. "We're going to be out actively persuading the public that this is the direction we want to go, but we want an endorsement from them."
Immigration and Social Service Restrictions
In February, Smith introduced several questions targeting immigration. A favorable vote would empower the province to implement legislation restricting access to social services and require non-permanent residents to reside in Alberta for 12 months before qualifying for provincially-funded programs.
Smith expressed confidence that Albertans would vote in favor, but she did not specify how she would respond to a 'no' vote.
Forever Canada Petition
Smith previously indicated that citizen-led initiative petitions meeting requirements would appear on the ballot. The Forever Canada petition, which affirms Alberta's place within Canada, has gathered enough signatures and is now before a committee of MLAs. Despite the petition's leader, Thomas Lukaszuk, preferring a legislative vote over a referendum, Smith noted that 450,000 signatories expected a referendum.
"I know that the proponent has changed his mind... but that's what we're having to talk to Elections Alberta about," Smith said.
Separation Petition and Opposition Response
Regarding a separate pro-separation petition currently in the courts, Smith stated they would await the court's decision. Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi predicted a separation question would be on the ballot and urged Albertans to vote. He criticized Smith, saying, "she's going to do what she wants anyway" regardless of the referendum outcomes.
