While many Albertans may be focused on referendum questions about Alberta’s place in Confederation, the proposed questions on immigration also deserve serious scrutiny. Several of them appear to send a troubling message about people who have immigrated to Canada and made Alberta their home.
Of the five immigration-related questions, four raise serious concerns. They appear to rest on the assumption that immigrants are taking unfair advantage of public services, yet no evidence has been provided to support that claim.
People who work in Canada pay taxes and contribute to the systems from which our communities benefit. If the government believes immigration is placing an unfair burden on Alberta, it should provide clear, factual evidence rather than framing questions in a way that risks casting suspicion on an entire group.
Public policy should promote fairness, clarity, and accountability. It should not divide Albertans into “us” and “them” or encourage the view that newcomers are a threat to the well-being of other residents. Given Alberta’s current economic challenges and the growing polarization in public life, these questions require much stronger justification.
I respectfully call on the provincial government to provide the evidence behind them. If that evidence cannot be clearly presented, the questions should be withdrawn.
Paul Douglas Walfall, minister, Pilgrim United Church, Edmonton
Referendum questions too confusing
I just read the 10 referendum questions in the Edmonton Journal. I attended the University of Alberta where I received a Bachelor of Education. I taught for over 30 years. I participate in a writing club and I have much interest in the English language.
And yet, these questions are beyond my understanding. They are long, convoluted, multifaceted, and confusing. There are so many parts that one could agree and disagree with the same question.
Shame on Danielle Smith and her party. Are they purposely trying to confuse their constituents? Are they trying to dissuade Alberta citizens from coming out to vote? We still have time to make these questions simple, easy to understand, and promote reasonably intelligent answers.
If these questions remain as they are, the voting hours better be extended because it will take me a very long time to answer them. I will not answer a question that makes no sense or is confusing or is on a topic I know little about. I feel like Smith and her party are purposely sabotaging Alberta citizens. When the voting is all done, Smith will say that this is what Alberta wants, even if it isn’t. What this Alberta citizen wants is a change of provincial government.
Linda Klym, Edmonton
Alberta has lost its compassion
What has happened to compassion and empathy? It’s difficult enough to qualify for AISH, find good housing and possibly have a strong family advocate in your corner. I was so saddened to hear about the death of Bruce Johnson by suicide because of the anxiety over the changes to AISH. This province does a terrible job of easing the anxieties and worries of vulnerable people over abrupt changes to their income support.
