Alberta immigration referendum could harm province, experts say

Experts told Global News that Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed rules limiting service access for some non-permanent residents could make life harder for newcomers and affect sectors that rely on immigrant labour; a referendum on the measures is scheduled for this fall.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has proposed changes to how some immigrants access public services, and the plans are scheduled for a referendum this fall. Experts quoted in the article say those changes could harm the province and make life harder for newcomers. Proposed measures reported include fees for certain services and limiting eligibility for some non-permanent residents until they have lived in Alberta for a year. The discussion comes amid shifting migration levels and debate over provincial finances. Key points: - Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, said the proposed policies would make life harder for newcomers and could hurt sectors that rely on immigrant workers, such as nursing and early childhood education. - Statistics Canada data cited in the article show migration to Alberta peaked in 2023–24 at about 220,000 net gains and has declined in subsequent periods. - Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams is reported as saying the province posted a multi-billion surplus in 2023–24 and that lower oil prices are a key fiscal factor behind current deficits. - Premier Smith has scheduled a referendum for this fall but did not confirm whether the vote would be binding and said she is listening to Albertans. Summary: Experts warn the proposed measures could create challenges for newcomers and for sectors that depend on immigrant labour, and analysts point to other fiscal drivers such as oil prices. Migration levels have declined since the 2023–24 peak. A referendum on the proposals is scheduled for this fall; whether it would be binding was not confirmed by the premier.