Federal Government Won't Block Alberta's Fall Referendum on Immigration and Constitutional Questions
Federal officials have announced they will not stand in the way of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's plan to hold a referendum this fall on multiple constitutional and immigration-related questions. The federal government emphasized that while they acknowledge the provincial initiative, they share common goals with Alberta regarding sustainable immigration levels across Canada.
Federal Response to Alberta's Referendum Plan
Gabriel Brunet, spokesman for Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, confirmed that federal officials are aware of the nine referendum questions Premier Smith presented to Albertans during a televised address on Thursday evening. "(We have) taken note of Premier Smith's address and the questions it outlines," wrote Brunet in an official email statement. "Albertans will express their views on these issues and others raised by Premier Smith, as they have on several constitutional questions in the past."
Brunet's office indicated they do not quarrel with Smith's plan to seek public input on these matters through a democratic referendum process scheduled for October 19th. The federal position acknowledges provincial autonomy while maintaining that immigration remains a shared federal-provincial responsibility under Canada's Constitution.
Alberta's Immigration Concerns and Referendum Questions
Premier Smith explained in her Thursday address that strains created by Alberta's rapid post-COVID population growth necessitate seeking a mandate from Albertans to pursue significant changes to the province's immigration system. Alberta has welcomed approximately 600,000 new residents since COVID restrictions eased around 2022, representing a substantial 13 percent population increase. Notably, seven out of ten newcomers arrived from outside Canada, with Edmonton and Calgary absorbing most of these new residents.
The referendum will feature five specific immigration-related questions on the October ballot:
- A 12-month residency requirement for accessing certain social services
- Creating an Alberta-approved immigration status
- Requiring proof of citizenship to vote in provincial elections
Smith described these proposed changes as representing "a significant departure from the status quo" in immigration policy and administration.
Constitutional Questions on the Ballot
In addition to immigration matters, Premier Smith revealed four constitutional questions that will appear on the referendum ballot. These include:
- Abolishing the Senate
- Opting out of federally-run programs with compensation
- Giving preference to provincial laws over federal laws in competing areas of jurisdiction
These constitutional questions reflect ongoing debates about federal-provincial power dynamics and the distribution of authority within Canada's governmental structure.
Federal Emphasis on Cooperative Immigration Management
While not blocking Alberta's referendum, Minister LeBlanc's office stressed that immigration remains a file best handled cooperatively between federal and provincial governments. Federal officials highlighted the progress already made in bringing the national immigration system back under control following post-pandemic surges.
"Our plan is working and real progress is being made," wrote Brunet, "with substantial declines in asylum claims, new temporary foreign workers, and international student arrivals – so that we protect the bargain of a sustainable intake of newcomers that is consistent with our capacity to properly welcome them."
Recent immigration statistics support this federal position. Between July 2024 and June 2025, some 435,421 immigrants arrived in Canada – the lowest number in four years but still more than 150,000 higher than the pre-COVID baseline of 2018-2019. This data illustrates both the recent decline federal officials reference and the ongoing elevated levels compared to pre-pandemic norms.
The federal government's response represents a careful balancing act: respecting provincial democratic processes while maintaining that immigration management requires coordinated national approaches. As Alberta prepares for its fall referendum, both levels of government appear committed to addressing immigration challenges while navigating complex constitutional relationships.
