Opinion: Immigration questions in fall referendum a measure of who we are as Albertans
Originally published at CalgaryHerald.com on September 5, 2026.
On October 19th Albertans will be invited to express their opinions through a referendum that, in a convoluted manner, asks us whether Alberta should begin a process to separate from Canada.
We are also being asked a series of disturbing immigration related questions. These questions are likely unconstitutional and designed to satisfy the extremist element of the United Conservative Party (UCP).
One might ask why, as a province, we are spending an estimated $150 million dollars and requiring 60,000 employees to ask us these referendum questions when this money could be put to much better use responding to the growing pressures in our education and health care systems? But here we are. Referendums are a waste of time and energy, voter turnout is poor and their results do not reflect public opinion.
Very little discussion and exposure centers around the ambiguous and unconstitutional questions surrounding immigration. In fact, many Albertans are not even aware there are questions other than the separation question. It is time for Albertans to focus on the negative implications that are contained in the immigration enquiries.
As we think about who we are as Canadians and as Albertans, the message we send with our responses to the racist immigration questions may say more about us than anything else. We need to pay close attention to the implications of the immigration questions being put forward. We need to reject all of them and vote NO.
The referendum proposes increased provincial control over immigration, restrictions on access to services for non-permanent residents, a “head tax” discriminatory fee system for non-permanent residents, a 12-month waiting period for social supports, fees for healthcare and education, and citizenship verification for voting. These changes will significantly impact non-permanent residents (some 65,000 people) which includes temporary foreign workers, international students, and refugee claimants.
The implication seems to be that these newcomers fill our hospitals and schools and take jobs away from Albertans. To scapegoat our newcomers as the source of funding pressures in our schools and hospitals passes the buck to others over our failure to meet the demands created by our growth and prosperity.
The flawed premise of these questions rests on the assumption that this group of newcomers to Alberta are taking advantage. It is alleged that they don’t contribute, they cost us money and therefore they should be prevented from accessing services and should be back of the line for employment opportunities. Not only are these assumptions discriminatory, they are factually inaccurate. These individuals pay taxes for starters, but more importantly the assumptions ignore the many and necessary contributions newcomers make to our province and our country. They ignore the fact that immigration is the foundation of growth and prosperity in our province and perhaps most importantly, they ignore the pride we have always taken in being a welcoming country and province where difference is a strength. Other than indigenous and first nations peoples, we can all trace our histories to other shores.
We already have many children in Alberta being denied entrance to our schools because their parents lack immigration status. Are we becoming so insular that we can stand aside and allow children living in our Province to be denied education and health care?
There is no denying that we need new Canadians to fill the gaps created by smaller families and an aging population. These social trends will have a negative impact in the future where fewer workers will be available to meet the expanding needs of the province.
It is incumbent upon the Provincial and Federal governments to work together to create and implement programs that will recognize the population growth needs in our society. This is not a task for provinces alone. This is a national challenge and well outside exclusive provincial jurisdiction.
Unfortunately, our current provincial government has not demonstrated any ability to address these types of issues with the intelligence, humanity and compassion they demand. For all of these reasons, it is important that we vote to stay in Canada and vote no to all nine of the divisive questions manufactured by the provincial government. In particular, we must remember who we are as Albertans and Canadians and reject the false and racist premises upon which the referendum immigration questions are based.
Ron Ghitter (KC, CM – Member of Order of Canada), is a former Alberta MLA and senator and founder of the Dignity Forum. Cori Ghitter (KC) is the CEO of the Ron and Myrna Ghitter Foundation and a member of the Dignity Forum.