Separation, immigration, the Constitution: A look at Alberta’s referendum questions

Edmonton - This is a rundown of the 10 questions that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith plans to present to voters in a province-wide referendum scheduled for Monday. The first question asks if Albertans back the government taking more control over immigration to bring it down to sustainable levels, favoring economic migrants and giving Albertans priority in new job openings.

Smith has expressed a desire to mirror Quebec's deal with Ottawa, which grants the province the power to set its own criteria for economic migrants. She has suggested that a "normal" and "sustainable" level of immigration would be under one percent of the population, or roughly 50,000 newcomers annually.

The second question seeks support for a law requiring only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those with Alberta-approved immigration status to be eligible for provincially funded programs like healthcare, education, and other social services. The Premier has cited strained public services due to rapid population growth over the past five years as the reason behind this proposal. However, critics argue that the government's figures are misleading and overlook the economic contributions of temporary residents.

The third question asks if Albertans would endorse a law requiring non-permanent legal immigrants to live in Alberta for at least a year before becoming eligible for provincial social support programs. The government has not specified which programs would be impacted by a 'yes' vote, as it intends to define "Alberta-approved immigration status" after the referendum.

Question four asks if Albertans support the government charging non-permanent immigrants a fee or premium for using healthcare and education systems. The Premier suggested that such a charge could be as high as $1,900 in a September interview with Calgary business leaders. Education officials have objected to this idea, stating that it contradicts internationally agreed children's rights.

Question five proposes that Albertans back a law requiring voters to prove their citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship card, before casting ballots in provincial elections. While voting is already restricted to Canadian citizens, Smith claims this policy is aimed at ensuring the integrity of provincial elections. Opponents argue that it would merely lengthen queues at the polls and potentially introduce racial or ethnic bias at the voting booths.

The sixth question asks if Albertans would support working with other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to allow provincial governments, rather than the federal government, to select justices for provincial King's Bench and Appeal courts. If approved by voters, this proposal would only commit Alberta's government to collaborating with other provinces and federal lawmakers to make changes to the Constitution, which generally require approval from seven provincial legislatures representing 50 percent of Canada's population and the House of Commons and Senate in Ottawa.

Lastly, question seven inquires if Albertans would support working with other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to grant provincial governments, not the federal government, the authority to select justices for provincial King's Bench and Appeal courts. This question is similar to the sixth question but focuses on different aspects of constitutional reform.