Alberta launches referendum website to educate voters on ballot questions ahead of October vote

The Alberta government launched a website to keep people informed about what questions will be on the fall referendum. CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg explains.

Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government has launched a new website aimed to educate voters on ballot questions ahead of the referendum vote in October.

“We recognize how consequential these questions are, and we want to make sure that every elector in Alberta has the time needed to consider their vote and get the facts they need to make an informed decision at the ballot box,” said Smith during a press conference Thursday.

In February, the premier announced nine questions that will be put to Albertans in the fall, including several propositions that could limit provincial social services to immigrants and give Albertans priority on employment opportunities.

“We believe that we should return to what guest workers were meant to do,” said Smith. “Guest workers were meant to provide additional revenue for the province, and they were also meant to fill gaps that couldn’t be filled by Alberta workers or Canadian workers.”

There are also several constitutional questions, including one that asks if provinces should select judges appointed to the Court of King’s Bench and appeal courts and another that asks if the Government of Alberta should abolish the federal Senate.

“These are clearly policies that we would like to get a mandate from,” said Smith. “I’m not neutral in it. I think these are the right policies for Albertans.

“I’m hoping to start a national conversation … so we’ll be advocating very strongly for all nine questions.”

Questions posed to Albertans were developed following the Alberta Next Panel, which submitted recommendations following dozens of town halls across the province last summer and fall.

On the website, each question is paired with background information provided by the Government of Alberta.

Smith said only government-led referendums will be detailed on the website, with citizen initiative petitions to be linked to.

“Backgrounders will be solely government information … they need to understand that, if there are affirmed citizen petitions, what those are,” said Smith.

The anti-separation “Forever Canadian” citizen-led petition is waiting to see if a question asking Albertans if they wish to remain in Canada will be put on the referendum after collecting more than 450,000 signatures. The petition is currently in front of a committee that will determine the next steps.

Stay Free Alberta, a prominent separatist group, is currently collecting signatures for a referendum. The group said they have surpassed the signature threshold, but have until early May to submit.

While both Forever Canadian and Stay Free Alberta petitions ask similar questions, Smith said the courts will determine if both will be put to Albertans in October.

Country musician Corb Lund is also looking to rack up signatures for a petition that would propose the prohibition of coal exploration and mining within the eastern slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Lund and his group Water Not Coal have until June 10 to submit more than 177,000 signatures.

‘Nobody wants this’: Nenshi

Official Opposition and New Democrat leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the province’s website, two weeks after launching its initiative “For Alberta, For Canada.”

“This entire misadventure with these referenda is a gigantic waste of taxpayer time and a gigantic waste of taxpayer money,” said Nenshi at a press conference Thursday afternoon. “Nobody asked for this, nobody wants this.”

While Nenshi opposes the province’s referendum questions, he is still encouraging Albertans to go to the ballot box on Oct. 19.

“Albertans have to vote. Please vote. The most important thing is you have to vote on the separatism petition,” said Nenshi. “I guarantee you that people woke up the morning after Brexit and said, ‘Oh gosh, I should’ve voted.’

“We must have a strong showing saying Albertans are proud Canadians and they believe in Canada, and while you’re there, you may as well vote on the other ones and send the premier a message.”