An unofficial count from Alberta’s Monday, Oct. 19, referendum put support for staying in Canada at more than three-quarters, but narrow margins left several proposals on provincial powers unsettled.
Elections Alberta’s unofficial results showed 1,435,753 votes, or 75.3% of valid votes counted, for remaining a Canadian province as of 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Another 471,929 votes, or 24.7%, went to an option asking the provincial government to begin legal steps toward a later binding referendum on separation. The vote itself could not change Alberta’s status.
The nine other questions covered provincial services, voting rules and constitutional powers. The proposal on federal programs stood alone with No ahead: 50.9% opposed allowing provinces to withdraw from certain programs while keeping related funding. Yes led on the three other constitutional questions, with 51.0% for giving provincial laws priority in specified conflicts with federal laws, 51.9% for provincial selection of certain judges and 53.7% for abolishing the federal Senate.
Those leads rest on incomplete tallies. Counting began with the separation question, which had 1,907,682 valid votes in the snapshot. The question on federal programs had 1,020,191, leaving its narrow margin subject to change as counting continued.
Yes was also ahead on all five nonbinding policy proposals, from 54.2% for greater provincial control over immigration to 63.8% for requiring proof of citizenship in provincial elections. Another measure on the 10-question ballot proposed fees or premiums for health care and education used by families of some people with non-permanent immigration status. The vote did not put those policies into effect.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sought backing for immigration changes after arguing that immigration was straining provincial services and finances. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the result on Alberta’s place in Canada in a statement Tuesday, Oct. 20.
A Yes majority on a constitutional measure would require Alberta’s government to take action within its authority that it considers appropriate. The referendum cannot itself amend Canada’s Constitution. Elections Alberta plans to announce official results at noon ET on Oct. 29.
