Alberta ‘less attractive’ after immigration referendum results, advocate says
Posted October 21, 2026 9:24 am.
A citizen group that opposed Alberta’s referendum from the get-go says the results of the questions on immigration could make Alberta a less attractive place for newcomers.
Edmonton lawyer Avnish Nanda, the spokesperson for Our Alberta Advantage, says he’s disappointed by the results – and they could have repercussions.
“We’re going down a path here where we’re making Alberta a less attractive place for the world’s best and brightest immigrants, the engineers, the doctors, the entrepreneurs that we need to continue to build this place,” Nanda said.
Though the results remain unofficial — remaining ballots are still being tallied Wednesday – it appears Albertans voted “yes” on all questions pertaining to immigration.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said those results will allow the province take greater control over immigration to stabilize population growth and make sure Albertans are prioritized for jobs.
READ: Alberta’s Smith to pursue immigration reforms, hints changes could take time
Critics have called the immigration questions anti-immigrant dog-whistling.
The Immigrant Education Society Is hoping the province doesn’t move forward with the proposed changes, especially around charging a fee to access health care and education in Alberta.
“The immediate effect is, where will they go?” asked Sally Zhao, the group’s president and CEO. “They’ll end up on the street.
“If they have to pay, when they cannot afford, they just become sick, they still have to walk around in the community.”
Tope Esan, now a restaurant owner in Calgary, is a former pipeline engineer originally from Nigeria who has called Alberta home for two decades. He voted “no” on all five immigration referendum questions.
“If I’m paying taxes, I’ve been given work permit, if I’m a resident here and I’m productive, I’m doing all what I can do, why do you want to deny me the services? That’s just my first impression. You want to create a second-class citizen,” he said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he has spoken with Premier Smith about the referendum results, and wants to work with provinces on immigration.
“Where we can find solutions, that’s our responsibility to move forward,” Carney said Tuesday. “That’s what Canadians expect. And we’ll look to find those solutions.”
