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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was unable to provide clear guidance on what constitutes a strong mandate for the nine referendum questions Albertans will vote on regarding immigration and constitutional issues. When asked by CBC News, Smith avoided specifying a threshold similar to 50% plus one that she had mentioned for the separatism question. Instead, she stated that her government would assess voter turnout and results before providing direction on Oct. 20 following the October 19 vote.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On October 19, Albertans will vote on a provincial referendum with 10 questions, including five about immigration and four concerning Canada's Constitution, plus an additional question on separatism added by the provincial government. Premier Danielle Smith was asked to define what she considers a strong mandate for moving forward with policies related to these issues but declined to provide specific thresholds beyond stating that 50% plus one vote would be sufficient for the separatism question. When questioned further about her stance on the remaining nine questions, Smith responded vaguely, emphasizing the importance of feedback from voters without committing to a particular threshold for action.
Written for “Alberta Premier Avoids Questions” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning: leans right for article 67480 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-10-09
Alberta premier unclear when asked to define threshold for questions 1 to 9 on referendum ballot
uncertain
premier → ask → ballot
Albertans can vote on 9 questions about immigration and constitutional issues on Oct. 19
Premier Danielle Smith was not clear on Thursday when asked what she considers a strong mandate to move forward on policies about immigration and constitutional issues after Albertans vote in this month’s provincial referendum.
asserted
Albertans → vote → referendum
On Oct. 19, Albertans can vote on five questions about immigration and four questions relating to Canada’s Constitution, along with a question added by the provincial government about separatism: whether to stay in Canada or hold a second binding referendum on separating from the country.
asserted
Albertans → vote → country
While Smith has said she considers 50 per cent plus one a threshold for the question about separatism, she demurred when asked by CBC News at an unrelated news conference on Thursday what she considers a strong mandate or a threshold for the other nine questions.
asserted
she → say → questions
“I’m going to look at what the results are," she said.
asserted
she → go → ?
"We are very pleased that there’s a lot of interest in participating in this vote.
asserted
We → ’ → vote
"We want to make sure that there’s a lot of feedback from Albertans.
asserted
We → want → Albertans
So we’ll look at the voter turnout and we’ll look at the results and we’ll be able to give you some clear direction on Oct. 20 once we’ve heard from Albertans."
asserted
we → look → Albertans
Paperwork for a special mail-in ballot for Alberta’s 2026 referendum is shown.
asserted
Paperwork → mail → referendum
Smith was pressed on why Albertans are not being given a clear definition of what the government considers a strong mandate before they cast their ballots.
asserted
they → press → ballots
“I think people know that I want these nine [proposals] to get an endorsement," she said.
asserted
she → think → endorsement
"I don’t want to prejudge the outcome, but I’ve made it pretty clear that I would like to proceed on these nine issues.
asserted
I → want → issues
We heard about it through the Alberta Next Panel, but I want to hear from Albertans to make sure that they agree that this is the right direction to go."
asserted
this → hear → Albertans
At an announcement on April 23 to unveil a new website for the government's fall referendum questions, Smith said her government wants "voters at the ballot box who have considered the facts carefully, and we want a strong mandate to deliver change for Albertans."
asserted
we → unveil → Albertans
CBC News asked Smith why the province is not using the benchmark of 50 per cent plus one.
asserted
province → ask → cent
“Fifty per cent plus one is normally … what you would use, sure,” she said on Thursday as her press secretary cut off the CBC News reporter who was attempting to clarify her response.
asserted
who → use → response
The five questions about immigration relate to whether there should be increased provincial control over immigration, whether non-permanent residents should be prohibited from accessing provincially-funded programs, whether non-permanent residents should be restricted for at least 12 months before qualifying for provincially-funded social support programs, whether non-permanent residents should be charged a fee for health care and education and whether proof of citizenship should be required to vote in provincial elections.
asserted
proof → relate → elections
- Analysis
Alberta referendum pitches more control over immigration.
asserted
referendum → pitch → immigration
Here's what you need to know
-
asserted
you → need → what
Audio
A look at constitutional questions being asked in Alberta's referendum
The other questions ask Albertans whether they support amendments to the Constitution so provincial governments select justices, whether there is support to abolish the Senate, whether provinces should opt out of federal programs while keeping the federal funding associated with them and whether provincial laws should be prioritized over federal laws.
asserted
laws → ask → laws
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