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TL;DR

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack has called nine questions in Alberta’s Oct. 19 referendum racist, saying they are already encouraging xenophobic behaviour and disrespect toward minority communities.

The disputed questions deal with immigration rules and proposed changes to the Constitution. They will be on the ballot with a tenth question that asks voters to choose between Alberta staying in Canada and starting the legal process for a binding separation referendum.

“I feel they are racist questions,” Knack said during Edmonton city council’s July 8 meeting, according to the Edmonton Journal. “I feel those questions are designed to divide and I am strongly opposed to them.”

Knack said minority support groups had reported increased disrespect since the questions were announced. He also said investors were asking whether they should proceed with business plans and hiring because of uncertainty around Alberta’s future in Canada.

The premier’s office rejected his assessment. “Any accusation that the referendum questions on sustainable immigration constitute racism is false and inflammatory,” communications officer Ryan Fournier said.

Fournier said the questions respond to immigration levels the government considers unsustainable and their effects on public services. He said they also reflect feedback gathered through the Alberta Next town halls in 2025.

Although Knack criticized all nine questions, Elections Alberta’s published ballot shows that five directly concern immigration.

They ask whether Alberta should seek greater control over immigration to reduce intake and prioritize economic migrants, restrict provincially funded services to people with approved statuses, and require certain temporary residents to live in Alberta for 12 months before receiving social supports. Another asks whether temporary residents should pay fees for health care and education. The fifth proposes requiring proof of citizenship to vote provincially.

The remaining four questions seek constitutional changes involving judicial appointments, the Senate, federal programs, and conflicts between provincial and federal laws.

Results for Questions 1 through 9 will not bind the Alberta government. Elections Alberta also says it does not interpret the government-written questions and directs residents seeking explanations to the province or their member of the legislative assembly.

The proposals followed the Alberta Next consultation, which drew more than 5,000 participants through 10 in-person town halls and an online session. The panel’s December 2025 recommendations included greater provincial control over immigration and tighter eligibility for social services.

The consultation also exposed disagreement over immigration. At a Medicine Hat meeting attended by more than 400 people, participants debated whether immigration was placing too much pressure on services or being used to blame newcomers for broader problems.

Edmonton city council voted 12-0 on July 8 to declare Edmonton and Alberta vital parts of Canada and support Alberta remaining a province. Councillor Karen Principe was absent.

The motion addressed only the separation question. Council postponed debate on a formal position covering the other nine questions until after its summer break in August.

Knack said he would vote against all nine and support Alberta remaining in Canada. Councillors may express their positions, although Elections Alberta rules limit the city itself to spending $1,000 on referendum advocacy.

The referendum will require about 34 million ballots because each voter receives 10 separate, colour-coded papers. Elections Alberta plans to print 45 million ballots and recruit at least 60,000 paid workers. Advance voting runs from Oct. 13 to 17, followed by referendum day on Oct. 19.

The referendum does not immediately change access to health care, education, social assistance, or immigration programs. Questions 1 through 9 are non-binding, so any approved proposal would still require government action and could face constitutional or legal limits.

Eligible voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old, and ordinarily resident in Alberta. Permanent residents, international students, temporary foreign workers, and refugee claimants cannot vote unless they have obtained Canadian citizenship. Voters should confirm their registration and identification requirements through Elections Alberta. Applications for special ballots, including mail voting, are scheduled to open in late July.