Last Updated On 20 February 2026, 10:13 AM EST (Toronto Time)
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced a historic referendum set for October 19, 2026, featuring 9 questions that could fundamentally reshape how the province handles immigration and delivers services to newcomers.
Of these nine questions, 5 specifically target immigration policy, proposing significant changes that would affect temporary foreign workers, international students, and other non-permanent residents living in Alberta.
In a televised address on February 19, 2026, Smith blamed what she called “disastrous open-border immigration policies” of the former federal government for straining Alberta’s healthcare, education, and social services.
The province has grown by nearly 600,000 people over the past five years, and Smith argues this rapid growth has overwhelmed provincial resources at a time when falling oil prices have created significant budget pressures.
The Alberta referendum 2026 represents a significant departure from the status quo and could set a precedent for how Canadian provinces manage immigration at the provincial level.
Here’s everything you need to know about the five immigration questions Albertans will vote on this October.
Table of Contents
Question 1: Provincial Control Over Immigration Levels
The Question: “Do you support the Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration for the purpose of decreasing immigration to more sustainable levels, prioritizing economic migration and ensuring Albertans have first priority to new employment opportunities?”
What This Means
This question asks Albertans whether they want the provincial government to negotiate with Ottawa for greater control over immigration numbers and selection criteria.
Currently, while provinces have some input through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the federal government maintains primary control over immigration levels and most pathways to permanent residence.
The wording specifically emphasizes three priorities: reducing overall immigration numbers to “sustainable levels,” focusing on economic immigrants who can fill labor market gaps, and ensuring that Canadian citizens and permanent residents already in Alberta get preferential access to jobs before newcomers.
Potential Impact on Immigrants
If this question passes and Alberta successfully negotiates increased control, it could result in stricter provincial nominee program criteria, reduced nominations for categories like family reunification, and new labor market requirements that prioritize hiring residents before employers can access temporary foreign workers.
International students considering Alberta might face additional barriers to transitioning to permanent residence if the province gains authority to limit post-graduation work opportunities.
Question 2: Restricting Access to Provincial Programs
The Question: “Do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law mandating only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with an Alberta approved immigration status will be eligible for provincially funded programs, such as health, education & other social services?”
What This Means
This is perhaps the most consequential of the five immigration questions. It proposes creating a new category called “Alberta approved immigration status” that would determine who can access provincial services.
The referendum question notably does not define what this status means, leaving significant ambiguity about who would qualify and who would be excluded.
Currently, many provincial services in Alberta are available to anyone residing in the province, regardless of immigration status.
This includes access to emergency healthcare, K-12 education for children, and various social support programs.
The proposed change would fundamentally alter this approach by potentially excluding temporary foreign workers, international students, refugee claimants, and others with non-permanent status.
Potential Impact on Immigrants
The implications of this question are far-reaching.
Without clarity on what constitutes “Alberta approved immigration status,” temporary foreign workers could lose access to healthcare coverage, international students might face barriers to public services, and families with mixed immigration status could find themselves navigating a complex patchwork of eligibility rules.
Critics argue this could create a two-tiered system where certain residents pay taxes but cannot access the services those taxes fund.
Question 3: 12-Month Residency Requirement for Social Programs
The Question: “Assuming that all citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for social support programs as they do now, do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring all individuals with a non permanent legal immigration status to be resident in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for any provincially funded social support programs?”
What This Means
This question specifically targets non-permanent residents, including temporary foreign workers, international students, and those on visitor visas.
It proposes that these individuals must live in Alberta for at least one full year before they can access social support programs, even if they are otherwise legally present in Canada and contributing to the provincial economy through work and taxes.
The preamble assures that citizens and permanent residents would continue to qualify immediately, creating a clear distinction between those with permanent status and those without.
This waiting period would apply regardless of whether the individual pays provincial taxes or contributes to the local economy during that 12-month period.
Potential Impact on Immigrants
For a temporary foreign worker arriving in Alberta to fill a labor shortage, this could mean working and paying taxes for an entire year without access to the same social safety net available to other residents.
International students, who already pay significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students, would face an additional period of exclusion from support programs during their most vulnerable first year of adjustment.
This could discourage skilled workers and students from choosing Alberta over other provinces with more inclusive policies.
Question 4: Fees for Healthcare and Education Access
The Question: “Assuming that all citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for public health care and education as they do now, do you support the Government of Alberta charging a reasonable fee or premium to individuals with a non permanent immigration status living in Alberta for their and their family’s use of the healthcare and education systems?”
What This Means
Unlike Question 2, which proposes outright exclusion from services, this question takes a different approach by allowing access but requiring payment.
Non-permanent residents would be charged a “reasonable fee or premium” to use healthcare services and enroll their children in public schools.
The term “reasonable” is not defined, leaving significant discretion to future policymakers about what these costs might look like.
This approach mirrors systems in some other countries where temporary residents must purchase health insurance or pay out-of-pocket for medical services.
For education, it could mean non-permanent residents paying fees similar to international student rates even for K-12 public schooling for their children.
Potential Impact on Immigrants
The financial implications could be substantial. Healthcare premiums in jurisdictions that charge them can run several hundred dollars per month per person.
If Alberta implements similar fees, a family of four with temporary status could face thousands of dollars in annual healthcare costs on top of their other expenses.
Education fees could further strain household budgets, potentially making it financially unviable for some workers to bring their families, which would affect family reunification and overall immigrant well-being.
Question 5: Citizenship Proof for Voting
The Question: “Do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring individuals to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship card, to be eligible to vote in a provincial election?”
What This Means
While not directly affecting immigrant access to services, this question addresses voting eligibility and documentation requirements.
Currently, Canadian citizens can vote by presenting various forms of identification, including non-photo ID combined with another document showing their address.
This question proposes requiring specific citizenship documents to vote.
The specified documents, including passports, birth certificates, and citizenship cards, are all documents that permanent residents would not possess.
While permanent residents cannot vote in Canadian elections regardless, this proposal creates an additional verification layer that could affect naturalized citizens who may not have these documents readily available.
Potential Impact on Immigrants
For naturalized Canadian citizens in Alberta, this could create additional barriers to exercising their voting rights.
Not all citizens maintain current passports, and obtaining replacement citizenship documents can take time and money.
Critics argue such requirements could disproportionately affect immigrant communities where citizenship documentation may be less readily accessible.
Supporters argue it ensures election integrity by confirming voter eligibility through official documentation.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The timing of this referendum announcement is not coincidental.
Alberta faces a perfect storm of economic and political pressures that have brought immigration policy to the forefront of provincial politics.
First, oil prices have crashed significantly, with West Texas Intermediate projected to fall to US$53 per barrel this year and potentially US$49 in 2027 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
This creates major budget challenges for a province heavily dependent on energy revenues.
The upcoming provincial budget, to be tabled on February 27, 2026, is expected to show a multibillion-dollar deficit.
Second, Alberta has experienced unprecedented population growth.
The province has added nearly 600,000 new residents over the past five years, straining healthcare, education, and housing infrastructure.
While much of this growth came during a period of high federal immigration targets, Premier Smith has specifically blamed federal policies for overwhelming provincial services.
Third, the referendum reflects findings from the Alberta Next panel, a government-convened group that toured the province holding town halls and collecting input on the province’s future.
Immigration was identified as the top concern raised by participants, providing political justification for putting these questions to voters.
What Happens Next
The road from referendum announcement to potential implementation involves several key dates and steps that immigrants in Alberta should track closely.
February 20, 2026: Premier Smith is scheduled to hold a news conference in Calgary to provide additional details about the referendum and answer questions from media.
The Alberta NDP opposition is also planning a media availability to present their response to the announcement.
February 27, 2026: Finance Minister Nate Horner will table the 2026 provincial budget.
This will provide crucial context for understanding the fiscal pressures driving some of these policy proposals and may include additional details on expected savings from restricting immigrant access to services.
Early May 2026: The deadline for signatures on a citizen-led petition seeking a referendum question about Alberta separation from Canada.
If successful, this could add a tenth question to the October ballot alongside the immigration and constitutional questions.
October 19, 2026: Referendum day. Albertans will vote on all nine questions.
Results will determine whether the government moves forward with implementing these policies.
Post-Referendum: If questions pass, the provincial government would need to draft and introduce legislation to implement the approved changes.
Some measures, particularly those seeking increased control over immigration, would require negotiations with the federal government.
Constitutional questions would require cooperation from other provinces willing to pursue constitutional amendments.
The outcome of this referendum could significantly impact immigration decisions for those considering Alberta as their destination.
The October 19, 2026 referendum represents a pivotal moment for immigration policy in Alberta.
Whether these measures pass or fail, the questions themselves signal a significant shift in how at least one provincial government views immigration and its relationship with newcomers.
For the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have chosen Alberta as their home, and the many more considering it, the coming months will require careful attention to both the referendum campaign and its aftermath.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the Alberta referendum happening?
The referendum is scheduled for October 19, 2026, approximately eight months from now. All eligible Alberta voters will have the opportunity to vote on nine questions covering immigration and constitutional matters.
What is “Alberta approved immigration status” and who qualifies?
This term appears in the referendum questions but has not been defined by the government. If the relevant question passes, the provincial government would need to establish criteria for this new status category through subsequent legislation. This ambiguity has been cited as a concern by critics of the referendum.
How could this affect the Alberta Advanatage Immigration Program (AAIP)?
If Question 1 passes and Alberta gains increased control over immigration, the AINP could see significant changes including stricter eligibility criteria, reduced nomination allocations for certain categories, and new requirements prioritizing labor market needs over other factors like family connections.
What are the key details of Alberta's 2026 immigration referendum?
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a historic referendum on October 19, 2026, featuring nine questions aimed at reshaping the province's immigration policies. Five questions specifically address immigration, proposing significant changes that could impact temporary foreign workers, international students, and non-permanent residents. Key proposals include increasing provincial control over immigration levels, restricting access to provincial programs based on immigration status, and implementing a 12-month residency requirement for social program eligibility. If approved, these changes may lead to stricter standards in the provincial nomination program and prioritize job opportunities for local residents.
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