“I want to get a mandate from Albertans,” said Premier Danielle Smith as she provided more details on October’s provincial referendum, which will ask voters’ opinions on a variety of topics from immigration to constitutional issues, at a Thursday morning news conference.
Smith announced in February that she will put nine questions to Albertans, including proposals to restrict social services from some immigrants, whether the government of Alberta should push to have the federal Senate abolished, whether the Canadian Constitution should be amended to allow provincial governments to select the justices appointed to provincial King’s Bench and Appeal courts, and if the Constitution should be amended to give provincial laws, that deal with areas of shared constitutional jurisdiction priority over federal laws.
Asked by reporters if she would “accept the will of the majority, whatever way these questions go,” Smith said, “I’m of the view that you ask people questions that you want to get the answer to so that you can act on them.”
“It’s also the reason why we put questions that we think we already have the majority of Albertans on board with.”
However, when pressed several times by reporters if her government would respect a “no” outcome on any of the referendum questions, Smith responded with “we’ll address it at that time.”
In a clarification sent to Global News after publication, the Premier’s office expanded on that position in a written statement.
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“The premier will listen to the will of Albertans when they vote on these government referendum questions,” said press secretary Sam Blackett. “If an initiative receives a ‘no’ vote, the government will re-evaluate its approach to align with the will of Albertans.”
While Smith is hoping for a strong turnout from Albertans, she said her government will not be a bystander during the lead-up to the referendum.
“We’re going to be out actively persuading the public that this is the direction we want to go.”
As part of that campaign, the Alberta government also launched a new website —AlbertaReferendum2026.ca — to allow voters to view the ballot questions along with background about the issues and why the questions are being asked.
One issue that is not on the ballot so far is the issue of Alberta separation.
The separatist group Stay Free Alberta is currently collecting signatures on a citizens’ petition calling for a referendum on Alberta’s independence.
It claims it has already surpassed the signature threshold, and Smith has said she would put any question on the ballot should proponents get the required number of signatures.
In her ruling, Justice Shaina Leonard said the separation proponents can continue to collect signatures on their petition, but the province cannot proceed any further until the First Nations’ constitutional concerns — and claims they have not been properly consulted — have been dealt with by the courts.
Smith said the she expects a court ruling sometime in May.
Organizers of another anti-separation petition called “Forever Canadian” have collected more than 400,000 signatures from Albertans to keep the province in Canada.
That petition is currently being discussed by a committee of the Alberta legislature to decide the next steps.
Asked if that petition’s question — “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?” — might also be on the referendum ballot, Smith said she is waiting for the advice of the committee.
She says the final list of questions should be available by mid-July.
What a sow
Throwing spoiled meat to the wolves while she chows down a fresh steak is what is happening here.
She’s Libertarian? Not a chance.
Why have referendums when in the end it will be up to whatever Danielle wanted in the first place? That’s authoritarianism.
“sked if that petition’s question — “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?” — might also be on the referendum ballot, Smith said she is waiting for the advice of the committee.
She says the final list of questions should be available by mid-July.”
This is absolutely despicable. They’ve been sitting on that petition for a couple months now!
It seem clear that Smith has a bias, and is not about to let the will of the people interfere with doing what she wants to do.
“I want to get a mandate from Albertans,” said Premier Danielle Smith
Except when Albertans don’t respond the way she wants. Then she will know what is best for Albertans and do whatever the h3!! she and her boot lickers want.
Mandate from citizens, true democy. All evil words the left wingers simply do not really understand.
she won a majority. no need fir a referendum on any of that stuff. just the simple question should we seperate that’s all. with a majority she has yhe mandate to do all the other items. would the lobs have a referendum on anything? i think not. they have a majority now so they will do whatever they want. hope carney goes full big brother that will drive the yes vote. gooo carney
My lobotomy was a complete failure.
Also the Wexit movement is an American Psyop.
In a just world Smith would be arrested for treason.
Just say NO and GO and TELL …. someone you trust !!!
How is the MH care investigation coming?
Let’s add, “Should the UCP be dissolved back into it’s original conservative parties?” To the referendum while we are wasting money on 9 other referendum questions!
Smith has proven time and again that she has her own agenda and it’s becoming more apparent that she no longer wants to hide it. She does not represent the will of mainstream Albertans, only the far right. She’s not honest and certainly does not want an Alberta within confederation. I don’t trust her or her government of extremists to respect the rule of law and common decency in any of their policies.
That being said, I accept the fact the NDP will never form government here again. They are the worst. Nenshi is a Neanderthal.
Right… Smith will listen to Albertans. Like she listened when we said no to permanent daylight time. Like we said no to private health care. Like we said no to more oil going to the US without being refined. She just does not listen.
Why are the UCP trying to tell us what we want. They should not be pushing their agenda, they should be listening.
@Bob
A foreign bot has no influence on the Alberta Independence sentiment. Trudeau and Carney are more than enough to keep the fires burning for decades!
I wonder if ‘trump with a skirt’ will consider the ramifications of the separatist’s ‘slopaganda’ campaign HQ’ed in the Netherlands that has been exposed today…seems foreigners are all over supporting separatists…who knew? EVERYONE! Think critically and reason for yourself folks.
Jabba the Hut Nenshi won’t be able to beat Danielle Smith.
What’s the point of having a referendum if this government doesn’t want to accept no, this just proves the UPC are a I separatisrt separatisrt party….. What’s next if if they don’t win the next provincial election will they claim voter fraud. Smith makes me wish we still had Ralph Klein for Peter laugheed as premier..
So we’re just wasting more money on a referendum where she won’t respect the results? Why bother then? What a joke.
Please step down, you clearly aren’t here for the people of Alberta, only yourself. You’ve made nothing better or more affordable, the exact opposite in reality. Worst premier.
She’s a little ” touched in the head”… not the sharpest tool …few bricks short…elevator doesn’t go to top…
If that happens a Coup d’état will happen!
She will remove her and her government by force if she doesn’t accept no.
Help me out here. If our government won’t commit to accepting a “no” vote on a referendum question, how is that the democracy that the UCP says they are standing up for.
Smith is the best Premier in Canada, by far.
When does she cross the line to TREASON? anyone anyone