On October 19, Albertans voted on ten questions about immigration, constitutional reform, and Alberta's future in Canada. As of October 29, the results are official.
Voter turnout reached 70.4%, compared with 60.5% in the 2023 provincial election. Albertans voted:
75% to remain in Canada.
Yes to all five immigration-related questions, with support ranging from 52% to 58%.
No to all four proposed constitutional changes.
See the official results from Elections Alberta.
So, what does it mean and what happens next?
Immigration and Access to Services
Albertans voted Yes on Questions 1–5, supporting greater provincial control over immigration, restrictions on services for some non-permanent residents, and proof of citizenship for provincial voting.
The results were close, and varied regionally. Rural areas were more likely to vote yes to the first 9 questions, while Edmonton, central and NE Calgary and Banff-Kananaskis were more likely to vote “no” to the first nine questions.
These questions were non-binding. The government can decide whether and how to act on them. New restrictions could require changes to legislation, regulations, or program rules. There are several developments worth watching.
Immigration: Question 1 supports increased provincial control over immigration. Immigration is a shared federal-provincial responsibility, but Ottawa controls admission and immigration status. Changes requiring federal authority would need to be negotiated with the federal government. Some policy related to immigration was already in motion prior to the referendum: Alberta has passed the Immigration Oversight Act, establishing new provincial oversight of employers of temporary foreign workers, recruiters, and immigration consultants. Regulations are still being developed.
Access to public services: Questions 2–4 propose restrictions affecting people with non-permanent immigration status. These include limiting access to provincially funded programs to approved categories, requiring 12 months of Alberta residency before accessing social supports, and charging fees for health care and education. We don't yet know how the province will reconcile these approaches, who will qualify for services, or what will happen to those who don't.
Proof of citizenship: Question 5 supports requiring proof of Canadian citizenship to vote in provincial elections. Alberta has already introduced citizenship information on driver's licenses and identification cards, making citizenship easier to verify. If Alberta moves forward with requiring documentary proof of citizenship at the polls, it would become the only province in Canada to impose this requirement. Other provinces have generally balanced electoral integrity with accessibility by allowing voters to establish their eligibility without producing separate citizenship documents. Requiring additional documentation could create barriers for eligible voters who lack ready access to those records.
Changing the Constitution
Questions 6–9 asked whether Alberta should pursue constitutional change to address concerns about judicial appointments, the unelected Senate, federal funding conditions, and the balance of federal and provincial powers.
These questions were binding. By voting No, Albertans rejected the proposed constitutional amendments, meaning the government should not proceed with the proposals put to voters (Referendum Act, 2000; Legislative Assembly of Alberta, 2026).
Question 8, which proposes the Alberta government receive federal funding without participating in federal health and education programs, saw the least support from Albertans, with nearly 58% voting no.
The issues underpinning the constitutional questions remain on the government's agenda. Alberta has been seeking changes to judicial appointments and exploring provincial alternatives to federal dental care and pharmacare programs. These approaches do not require constitutional amendments.
What does this mean for nonprofits?
The referendum itself changes no laws or procedures. If the Government of Alberta decides to act on the results, it will need to create changes to legislation, regulations, policies, or programs, and who will be affected.
There are a few things for the nonprofit sector to consider.
If non-permanent residents face new fees, waiting periods, or eligibility restrictions, their needs won't disappear. They may instead turn to community organizations, emergency services, families, and employers for assistance.
Nonprofits could face increased demand, new responsibilities for helping people navigate eligibility requirements, and additional financial pressures, particularly if they lose provincial funding that previously supported their service delivery.
Organizations serving newcomers and other affected populations should pay close attention to how eligibility rules are defined, how existing funding agreements might be affected, and whether new service gaps emerge.
What can nonprofits do now?
Nonprofits can begin identifying which programs and populations might be affected, documenting potential service gaps, and sharing their frontline experience with MLAs and relevant ministries. They can also work together to request meaningful consultation before new rules are drafted.
This is an opportunity for nonprofits to share their expertise and help inform approaches that consider settlement outcomes, workforce participation, community well-being, and the province's broader economic and social priorities.
The Nonprofit Chamber will continue following developments and exploring the implications for Alberta's nonprofit sector and the communities we serve. Watch for upcoming tools to help you brief your board, engage with stakeholders, and navigate the potential implications of the referendum results for your organization.
Sources:
Elections Alberta. (2026). Referendum Results. Retrieved from: https://www.elections.ab.ca/elections/referendum/referendum-results/
Frew, N. (October 26, 2026). Alberta referendum tallies reveal rural-urban divide on ‘the 9’. CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-2026-referendum-results-rural-urban-divide-9.7394776
Markusoff, J. (October 27, 2026). Nopes to the nine? Blue walls? Five takeaways from Alberta's referendum results. CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/analysis-alberta-referendum-results-ridings-danielle-smith-naheed-nenshi-9.7396983
The Nonprofit Chamber. (2026). Before You Vote Blog Series. Retrieved from: https://www.thenonprofitchamber.org/blog-news/before-you-vote-question-1