Alberta has been built by people who stand up for what they believe in.
From farmers and ranchers to energy workers, teachers and nurses, Alberta is a place where people work toward something greater than themselves.
A referendum is a direct vote where citizens are asked to vote "Yes" or "No" on specific issues. Albertans are being asked to consider important questions about the future of the province.
The 2026 referendum will be held on October 19th with the Alberta government putting forward nine questions for Albertans to vote on. The questions on the ballot come out of the Alberta Next Panel's recommendations following extensive consultations with Albertans, subject-matter experts and policy makers from across the province as part of the Alberta Next townhall process.
Alberta – and Canada – are at a crossroads. A lot has changed since the division of powers between Ottawa and the provinces was established in 1867 and constitutionally enshrined in 1982. As a country, we are facing different challenges than we were then – challenges that require empowering provinces to respond to the priorities of their citizens. It's time to modernize the constitutional balance of power across Canada so all provinces have the respect, autonomy and tools they need to meet today's challenges head-on.
Federal immigration policy over the last decade has led to rapid population growth and a significant increase in costs that has impacted the government's ability to fund and effectively deliver social services across the province. We need change.
The road ahead may be challenging, but we know we can collectively build a stronger future for our province. It's time to stand for taxpayers. Stand for families. And stand for a stronger future for all Albertans in a united Canada.
BY THE NUMBERS
600,000
How much Alberta's population has grown in the last five years – roughly equivalent to adding half of the City of Calgary or Edmonton.
$600M+
The approximate annual cost to taxpayers for providing education to the 45,000 children of temporary residents in the provincial education system.
$1B+
More than $1 billion spent annually on provincial programs for temporary residents.
15.6%
The average youth unemployment rate in Alberta in 2025 – a clear sign that youth across the province are struggling to find work. Meanwhile, many employers first look to temporary workers to fill entry-level jobs.
What are the Questions?
The questions in this referendum get to the heart of where we are now as a province and where we want to go, directly gauging public opinion about immigration policy and strengthening the province's constitutional position.
The questions will define how we grow, how we protect the services every Albertan depends on and how we increase our sovereignty within a united Canada.
How Did We Get Here?
November 2015
The beginning of 10 years of unsustainable federal immigration policy which led to significant population increases and pressure on provincial social services, housing and employment, and directly impacted Albertans' ability to access services, get affordable housing and find jobs.
December 2019
After only four years, the total number of newcomers to Canada nearly doubled as a result of the federal government's policies, with Alberta having attracted many newcomers given our strong economy and generous social services. This number eventually tripled – reaching over 2 million people by 2023.
June 2025
The Government of Alberta launched its Alberta Next Panel engagement to reach thousands of Albertans – both online and through in-person town halls – to learn more about their priorities for a referendum.
December 2025
Following extensive consultations with Albertans across the province, the Panel published its Alberta Next recommendations on moving forward with the 2026 provincial referendum. See the report here.
February 2026
After reviewing the recommendations from the Alberta Next Panel, Alberta's government announced that the referendum would be held in October 2026.
October 19, 2026
Albertans will vote in a province-wide referendum to directly gauge public opinion about changing immigration policy and strengthening the province's constitutional position within a united Canada.
Latest Updates
Restoring trust in the immigration system
Alberta's government is introducing legislation to establish greater provincial oversight over immigration, crack down on fraud and restore trust in the system.
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How Canada's once great immigration system is being weakened even further
Canada's immigration scoring system no longer reflects the country's economic reality.
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Majority of Albertans support proposal to restrict temporary immigrants' access to health care: poll
More than 60 per cent support a referendum proposal to confine public services to Canadian citizens, PRs and provincially approved immigrants
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Feds won't stand in the way of Alberta's fall referendum, stress common immigration goals
Federal officials say they won't stand in the way of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's plan to put a number of constitutional and immigration-related questions to a referendum in the fall, and say they're already taking meaningful steps to bring migration down to a sustainable level.
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Provincial referendum coming this fall
Albertans will cast their votes in a provincial referendum on the two biggest issues identified by the Alberta Next panel: immigration and constitutional reform.
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Lorne Gunter: Crafty move by Alberta premier on referendum questions
The brilliance of Smith's move is that it pre-empts a separatism referendum by giving voters another option — giving the provinces greater control in a united Canada.
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Bell: Danielle Smith speaks out on giving Albertans more control on immigration
An interview with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Albertans heading to a referendum vote in the fall of 2026
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Alberta Next Panel delivers report
Following months of engagement across the province, the Alberta Next Panel has delivered seven recommendations to enhance Alberta's sovereignty within a united Canada.
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