The Alberta referendum is scheduled for October 19, 2026, with voters set to receive 10 separate ballots covering immigration, provincial powers, voting requirements and the future of Alberta’s place in Canada.
The vote will not immediately decide whether Alberta leaves Canada.
Instead, Question 10 asks voters to choose between keeping Alberta as a province of Canada or directing the provincial government to begin the constitutional process required to hold a later, binding referendum on separation.
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What the Alberta referendum will ask
Questions 1 through 9 require a yes-or-no answer, while Question 10 presents two options.
Elections Alberta says the results of the questions are not binding, although Premier Danielle Smith has said her government will respect the direction received from voters.
The first five questions focus primarily on immigration, provincially funded services and election rules.
- Question 1: Whether Alberta should seek greater control over immigration, reduce immigration to what the question calls more sustainable levels, prioritize economic migration and give Albertans first priority for new employment opportunities.
- Question 2: Whether access to provincially funded programs such as health care, education and other social services should be limited to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people with Alberta-approved immigration status.
- Question 3: Whether people with non-permanent legal immigration status should have to live in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for provincially funded social supports.
- Question 4: Whether Alberta should charge a reasonable fee or premium to people with non-permanent immigration status for their use of health-care and education systems.
- Question 5: Whether voters should be required to provide proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate or citizenship card, in provincial elections.
Questions 6 through 9 propose constitutional changes involving the courts, the Senate, federal programs and conflicts between federal and provincial laws.
- Question 6: Whether provinces should select the judges appointed to their King’s Bench and appeal courts instead of the federal government.
- Question 7: Whether the unelected federal Senate should be abolished.
- Question 8: Whether provinces should be allowed to opt out of federal programs in areas of provincial jurisdiction while keeping associated federal funding for their own social programs.
- Question 9: Whether provincial laws should take priority over conflicting federal laws in provincial or shared areas of constitutional jurisdiction.
What Question 10 means for Alberta separation
Question 10 is the most politically consequential item on the ballot.
A vote for the first option would support Alberta remaining a province of Canada.
A vote for the second option would direct the government to commence the legal process needed to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether Alberta should separate.
That wording was added after a court challenge affected a citizen-led petition seeking a direct separation referendum.
In a May 21, 2026 address, Smith said her government would appeal the court decision and argued that the new question could allow Albertans to express their views without directly triggering separation. The premier’s address to the province outlined her position.
Smith has stated that she supports Alberta remaining in Canada and that the United Conservative government’s position is to strengthen Alberta’s powers within a united country.
The premier said she would vote for Alberta to remain in Canada.
The separation question follows two competing petition efforts.
Smith said approximately 700,000 Albertans had signed petitions connected to either remaining in Canada or pursuing a vote on leaving.
Elections Alberta later determined that the citizen initiative petition seeking an independence referendum had met the statutory requirements after a court decision allowed the verification process to proceed.
When and how Albertans can vote
Advance voting is scheduled from October 13 through October 17, 2026.
In-person voting on referendum day will take place October 19.
Elections Alberta says voters can cast an advance ballot at any voting location in their electoral division, while Election Day voters must use their assigned location.
Eligible voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old and ordinarily resident in Alberta.
Voters must prove their name and physical address, with Elections Alberta listing more than 50 accepted identification options.
Special ballots are available to eligible Alberta electors who want to vote by mail.
Elections Alberta lists September 25 as the application deadline for a special ballot and says completed ballots must arrive by 5 p.m. on October 16.
Canada Post recommended mailing completed packages by October 9.
Each question will appear on a separate numbered and colour-coded ballot for in-person voters.
Question 10 will be counted first, followed by the other questions in sequence.
Because there are 10 questions, Elections Alberta says unofficial results must be completed within 48 hours after voting closes.
What happens after the vote
The referendum itself will not create an independent Alberta or amend the Canadian Constitution.
Question 10 would instead provide direction on whether the provincial government should begin pursuing a later binding separation referendum under the Constitution.
The other questions are also advisory rather than self-executing.
A yes vote would express support for the proposed policy or constitutional direction, but further legislation, negotiations or constitutional steps could be required before any change takes effect.
For voters, the practical distinction is important: the October 19 ballot is a broad policy and constitutional mandate vote, not an immediate decision to dissolve Alberta’s relationship with Canada. The first official results are expected to be reported through Elections Alberta after polls close and counting begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Alberta referendum?
In-person voting is scheduled for October 19, 2026, with advance voting from October 13 to October 17.
Will the Alberta referendum immediately decide separation from Canada?
No. Question 10 would ask the government to begin the legal process for a later binding referendum on separation.
How many questions are on the Alberta referendum ballot?
There are 10 questions, including four immigration-related questions, constitutional questions and the separation-related Question 10.
Who can vote in the Alberta referendum?
Eligible voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old and ordinarily resident in Alberta, and must provide acceptable identification.
Can Albertans vote by mail?
Yes. Eligible electors can use a special ballot, with Elections Alberta listing September 25, 2026, as the application deadline and October 16 at 5 p.m. as the receipt deadline for mailed ballots.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, ballot questions, voter eligibility and referendum procedures were checked against Elections Alberta and Government of Alberta information.
Disclaimer: The referendum questions are presented for public information and do not constitute legal or constitutional advice.