On October 19, Albertans will be asked to vote on ten referendum questions.

Five of the questions relate to immigration (expanding Alberta’s role and limiting access to health and education for some immigrants) and four deal with proposed changes to Canada’s constitution (all of which would require agreement with the other provinces, territories and the federal government). The tenth question is about separation, asking Albertans whether they want to remain in Canada or begin the process for a formal vote to separate.

With all ten questions, the outcomes of the votes are not binding on the provincial government.

What are the referendum questions?

What are the referendum questions?

On October 19, Albertans will be asked to vote on ten referendum questions.

Five of the questions relate to immigration (expanding Alberta’s role and limiting access to health and education for some immigrants) and four deal with proposed changes to Canada’s constitution (all of which would require agreement with the other provinces, territories and the federal government). The tenth question is about separation, asking Albertans whether they want to remain in Canada or begin the process for a formal vote to separate.

With all ten questions, the outcomes of the votes are not binding on the provincial government.

Immigration: 

Albertans will mark yes or no to the following questions related to immigration.

Close-up of a gold-colored, textured round object with a speckled surface.

Question 1
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 giving Albertans first priority on new employment opportunities?

Question 2
Do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law mandating that only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and individuals with an Alberta approved immigration status will be eligible for provincially-funded programs, such as health care, education and other social services?

Question 3
Assuming that all Canadian 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 reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for any provincially-funded social support programs?

Question 4
Assuming that all Canadian 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?

Question 5
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 vote in an Alberta provincial election?

Constitutional changes: 

Albertans will mark yes or no to the following questions.

Question 6
Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to have provincial governments, and not the federal government, select the justices appointed to provincial King’s Bench and Appeal courts?

Question 7
Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to abolish the unelected federal Senate?

Question 8
Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to allow provinces to opt out of federal programs that intrude on provincial jurisdiction such as health care, education, and social services, without a province losing any of the associated federal funding for use in its social programs?

Question 9
Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to better protect provincial rights from federal interference by giving a province’s laws dealing with provincial or shared areas of constitutional jurisdiction priority over federal laws when the province’s laws and federal laws conflict?

A close-up of a torn corner of a brown paper or cardboard surface.

Separation: 

Albertans will have the choice of two options and will mark an X beside the choice they prefer.

Question 10
Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?

Close-up of a green textured surface, possibly a plant leaf or sponge material

Option 1

Alberta should remain a province of Canada.

Option 2

The Government of Alberta should commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.

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Who We Are

Before You Vote was created by a small group of concerned citizens troubled by the lack of credible, fact-based information about the issues facing our province and country. We’ve all worked in or near government, public service, media and laws throughout our careers.