Final results are still being tallied for Monday’s referendum in Alberta.
Residents of our neighbour province voted on a number of questions on immigration, public services, and more, but the main question Canadians had their eye on was this:
Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?
With 93 per cent of voting locations reporting (as of Wednesday morning, around 75 per cent of voters chose to remain in Canada.
“It is clear that Albertans have spoken very decisively at this point, that they want to stay in a united Canada,” said former B.C. MLA and Political Analyst Shirley Bond. “It doesn’t mean that the discussions about other issues will not continue, in fact they will.”
Bond said while the key question was on staying in Canada, the other questions have significance and will continue to create ongoing dialogue about more provincial autonomy for Alberta.
“When you think about the significance of those questions, we’re talking about questions related to changing the constitution,” Bond said. “Particularly contentious is the issue of immigration, who should be receiving benefits in Alberta, very significant questions.”
Many of the questions put forward in the referendum revolved around immigration, such as question one, which asked:
Do you support the Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration for the purposes of decreasing immigration to more sustainable levels, prioritizing economic migration and giving Albertans first priority on new employment opportunities?
Bond thinks this will be a contentious topic going forward.
“We’re going to continue to see Albertan have those discussions, but for today at least, as someone who is a very proud Canadian, and who recognizes that our strength is our unity, we’re able to have influence globally because of the strength we have as a country,” Bond said. “From my perspective, I am thankful to see the results that we have, and we’ll wait and see what those final numbers look like.”
Bond said stopping to think about the results, Albertans will also be facing the cost of holding the referendum.
“When you think about the cost of this referendum, it will be in excess of about $130 million to have gone through this exercise,” she said. “That again is a very substantive outcome and impact for Albertans.”
In an address Tuesday evening, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she would not be holding another referendum on the province’s place in Canada.
“For as long as I am Premier, I will honour this mandate from Albertans and will not be holding another referendum on this issue,” Smith said. “It is time to move forward together as a strong and free Alberta within a united Canada.”
–With files from Kass Patterson, My Lethbridge Now
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