Premier Smith to ‘proceed with caution’ on immigration changes following referendum results
Posted October 22, 2026 8:27 am.
Unofficial tallies on the five questions regarding immigration as part of the Alberta referendum show that a majority of voters are in favour of change.
This as Premier Danielle Smith says she has already been in contact with the prime minister about what should change moving forward.
“I’ve already had a chance to talk with the (prime minister). We talked (Tuesday) morning, and he is accepting that Albertans want to have a more collaborative (say) between his government and ours on issues of immigration,” says Smith.
Final votes are still being reported, but with 97 per cent of polls reporting, most questions on reducing immigration, and restricting or adding a fee for social services have seen a slim lead.
As of Thursday morning, the question concerning Alberta taking more control over immigration saw support with 1,112,817 votes, while the “no side” cast 919,212 votes.
Smith says she’s told Carney to expect a proposal on question one, as to giving the province more control over immigration.
The premier says she’s taking inspiration from Quebec’s immigration model, stressing Alberta still has a need for more skilled workers.
No changes will come in the fall legislative sitting.
Smith says she’s looking towards the spring before more details will be released.
“When it comes to the other questions, what I’m taking from that is proceed with caution. I think that people understand if you’re coming here temporarily and haven’t made a commitment to be an Alberta lifetime taxpayer, then you might have different rules associated with that when it comes to education, when it comes to healthcare, when it comes to childcare.”
Government officials say it’s still not known if temporary workers already in the province would be impacted by future changes.
But Smith adds, “we wanna also do it in a way that’s compassionate. And so we know that there are many many people that came here under the old rules and we wanna have some conversation about whether that should apply to those who are currently here or just arriving new.”
Smith says immigration will be discussed when the country’s premiers gather together in December.
