Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced plans for a referendum on October 19, asking Albertans to vote on nine questions regarding immigration control and proposed constitutional changes. In her address, she criticized federal immigration policies for straining provincial resources and linked Alberta’s budget deficit to low oil prices and increased immigration. Proposed measures include prioritizing economic migrants, imposing residency requirements for social services, and amending the Constitution to grant provinces more power. Smith’s government aims to address the deficit through budget cuts without major reductions to essential services.
