Initiatives
Alberta's October Referendum: What It Means for Newcomers
Plain-language resources for settlement workers and the clients they serve.
On October 19, 2026, Albertans voted on 10 referendum questions. Five of them affect immigration and who can access provincially funded health care, education, and social supports. This page collects plain-language resources for settlement workers and their clients.
What was on the ballot
- Questions 1–5: provincial policy on immigration and program eligibility.
- Questions 6–9: whether Alberta should seek changes to the Canadian Constitution.
- Question 10: whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada, or begin the legal process toward a binding referendum on separation.
Full official wording is available from Elections Alberta ↗.
Who can vote
Canadian citizens, 18 or older, living in Alberta. Many newcomers are not eligible to vote but are directly affected by the outcome. They can still share what they have learned about the questions with eligible family, friends, and neighbours.
Resources
- Clients' Handout — two-page plain-language guide (English) Download ↗
- Document d'information à l'intention des clients (Français) Télécharger ↗
- Understanding Residency Categories in Alberta — discussion guide for settlement workers Download ↗
- Comprendre les catégories de résidence en Alberta (Français) Télécharger ↗
- Webinar: Preparing for Alberta's October Referendum (October 8, 2026, 9:30–11:00 a.m.) Related coverage
Related analysis
AAISA published a series of plain-language briefs on each question before the vote. Start with What the Referendum Told Us, and What Comes Next or browse all Sector News & Insights.
