Alberta premier unclear when asked to define threshold for questions 1 to 9 on referendum ballot

Albertans can vote on 9 questions about immigration and constitutional issues on Oct. 19

Premier Danielle Smith was not clear on Thursday when asked what she considers a strong mandate to move forward on policies about immigration and constitutional issues after Albertans vote in this month’s provincial referendum.

On Oct. 19, Albertans can vote on five questions about immigration and four questions relating to Canada’s Constitution, along with a question added by the provincial government about separatism: whether to stay in Canada or hold a second binding referendum on separating from the country.

While Smith has said she considers 50 per cent plus one a threshold for the question about separatism, she demurred when asked by CBC News at an unrelated news conference on Thursday what she considers a strong mandate or a threshold for the other nine questions.

“I’m going to look at what the results are," she said. "We are very pleased that there’s a lot of interest in participating in this vote.

"We want to make sure that there’s a lot of feedback from Albertans. So we’ll look at the voter turnout and we’ll look at the results and we’ll be able to give you some clear direction on Oct. 20 once we’ve heard from Albertans."

Paperwork for a special mail-in ballot for Alberta’s 2026 referendum is shown. (Nate Luit/CBC)

Smith was pressed on why Albertans are not being given a clear definition of what the government considers a strong mandate before they cast their ballots.

“I think people know that I want these nine [proposals] to get an endorsement," she said. "I don ’t want to prejudge the outcome, but I’ve made it pretty clear that I would like to proceed on these nine issues.

"We heard about it through the Alberta Next Panel, but I want to hear from Albertans to make sure that they agree that this is the right direction to go."

At an announcement on April 23 to unveil a new website for the government's fall referendum questions, Smith said her government wants "voters at the ballot box who have considered the facts carefully, and we want a strong mandate to deliver change for Albertans."

CBC News asked Smith why the province is not using the benchmark of 50 per cent plus one.

“Fifty per cent plus one is normally … what you would use, sure,” she said on Thursday as her press secretary cut off the CBC News reporter who was attempting to clarify her response.

The five questions about immigration relate to whether there should be increased provincial control over immigration, whether non-permanent residents should be prohibited from accessing provincially-funded programs, whether non-permanent residents should be restricted for at least 12 months before qualifying for provincially-funded social support programs, whether non-permanent residents should be charged a fee for health care and education and whether proof of citizenship should be required to vote in provincial elections.

Alberta referendum pitches more control over immigration. Here's what you need to know

A look at constitutional questions being asked in Alberta's referendum

The other questions ask Albertans whether they support amendments to the Constitution so provincial governments select justices, whether there is support to abolish the Senate, whether provinces should opt out of federal programs while keeping the federal funding associated with them and whether provincial laws should be prioritized over federal laws.

Julia Wong is a senior reporter based in Edmonton.