Alberta Referendum Shows Support for Remaining in Canada
Alberta voters supported remaining in Canada in a non-binding referendum, though results on immigration and constitutional changes remained divided.
Elections Alberta released official results on October 28 for a non-binding referendum held on October 19. The results indicate clear support for Alberta remaining part of Canada, with 13,926 of 31,294 participating voters in the Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin area voting to stay in the country.
While the desire to remain in Canada was evident, voters were more divided on issues of provincial authority. A slim majority supported the Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration to prioritize economic migration and reduce levels to sustainable amounts. Conversely, voters largely opposed constitutional changes, with 54.64% opposing the province selecting justices for the Court of Kings Bench and 52.72% opposing the abolition of the federal Senate.
Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin MLA Rick Wilson stated that the turnout and support for remaining in Canada send an important message. He noted that the government will proceed thoughtfully and cautiously when exploring a greater provincial role in immigration matters.
