Advance voting opens as experts debate meaning of Alberta referendum results
Albertans are preparing to vote on a 10-question referendum covering topics from immigration to potential separation from Canada. Political experts warn that the questions are broad and legally complex, making the results difficult to interpret or implement.
Why it matters
The referendum touches on constitutional issues and Canadian national unity, raising questions about provincial versus federal authority.
As Albertans get set to head to the polls next week, one political expert is saying she sees no real threat to Canadian unity, but the results of the referendum may be challenging to interpret.
“I don’t see why these are referendum questions at all,” Grace Skogstad, a professor emeritus in the department of political science at the University of Toronto told Global News.
Albertans will be given 10 ballots for 10 different questions. The first nine questions are related to immigration and the Constitution.
The last question asks whether or not the Government of Alberta should “commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she hopes Albertans vote yes to the first nine questions to give her some leverage to negotiate with the federal government.
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