Students’ Association of MacEwan University

Alberta Referendum 2026

Oct 5, 2026 | SAMU Blog, SAMU in the News Feature

ALBERTA REFERENDUM 2026

WHAT TO KNOW

Alberta has called a referendum for October 19, 2026. Here’s what you should know:

WHAT ARE THE REFERENDUM QUESTIONS?

There are nine yes or no questions in the upcoming referendum:

  • Do you support the Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration for the purposes of decreasing immigration to more sustainable levels, prioritizing economic migration and giving Albertans first priority on new employment opportunities?
  • 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?
  • 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?
  • 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 health care and education systems?
  • 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?
  • 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?
  • 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
  • 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?
  • 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?

There is an additional question that voters may respond to by selecting one of two options:

  • 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?
    • 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.

HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE

IN PERSON

First time voter, or just want a refresher? Watch this video from Elections Alberta more information!

SPECIAL BALLOT

Requests for special ballots from Elections Alberta closed on September 25, 2026.

WHERE TO VOTE

Wondering where you can vote? Use the location tool from Elections Alberta to find your voting station.

ADVANCE VOTING

During advance voting days, October 13 – 17, 2026, you can vote at any advance voting place within your electoral division.

ELECTION DAY VOTING

On Election Day, October 19, 2026, you must vote at the voting place identified for your physical address.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

Canadian citizens who are 18 years of age or older and who are residents of Alberta are eligible to vote, including those students who normally reside in Alberta but are studying out of province. Read this page on the Elections Alberta website for more information on student voting, especially for those living outside their regularly assigned voting station.

To vote, you must provide your identity and current address. To do this, you may:

  • Provide one piece of Government-issued photo ID, including your full name, current address, and photo
  • Provide two pieces of ID, both containing your full name, and with one showing your current physical address
  • Have an authorized signatory complete an attestation form

WHY IS THIS REFERENDUM HAPPENING?

The Government of Alberta passed three orders in council, two in March and one in May, to kickstart a referendum to answer the listed questions.