Alberta — September 28, 2026

Alberta is scheduled to hold a province-wide referendum on October 19, 2026. Voters will be presented with ten questions.

The government originally proposed nine questions. Five concern immigration policy and eligibility for certain provincially funded services.

They include greater provincial control over immigration, a residence period before some people with non-permanent immigration status qualify for provincially funded social supports, fees or premiums for certain health and education services, and proof of citizenship to vote in provincial elections.

Four more questions concern proposed constitutional changes and the division of federal and provincial powers.

These proposals include having provinces rather than Ottawa select judges appointed to Alberta’s Court of King’s Bench and Court of Appeal; abolishing the unelected federal Senate; allowing provinces to opt out of federal programs in provincial areas of jurisdiction without losing associated funding; and giving provincial laws priority in certain federal–provincial jurisdictional conflicts.

Premier Danielle Smith announced on May 21 that a tenth question would be added.

It asks voters whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada or whether the provincial government should begin the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a future binding referendum on separation.

The October 19 vote itself is not a binding vote to separate Alberta from Canada. Choosing the second option would concern starting the legal process for a possible later vote.

Elections Alberta is publishing information on polling locations, advance voting and special ballots by mail for the ten-question referendum.

Sources: Government of Alberta announcements of February 19 and May 21, 2026; Elections Alberta referendum information.