Poll Shows National Support for Alberta Referendum Questions

A Leger poll commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies indicates that Canadians nationwide often support proposed referendum questions in Alberta more than Albertans themselves do. The survey, which polled 1,528 people between June 19 and 21, tested nine of the 10 questions that will appear on an October 19 ballot covering immigration, election rules, and constitutional authority.

Support was highest for questions regarding immigration and elections. Conversely, constitutional changes, such as picking higher court judges or abolishing the Senate, received lower levels of national support. Of the 10 total questions, five are advisory, while four constitutional questions would require federal and inter-provincial cooperation to be implemented.

Jack Jedwab, president of the Association for Canadian Studies, attributed the high support levels to the way the questions are framed, suggesting they read more like affirmative statements than neutral queries. Jedwab warned that the federal government must determine a clear response to the results to prevent other provinces from viewing the process as tacitly acceptable.