On October 19, 2026, Albertans vote on 10 referendum questions. Five of them affect immigration and who can access provincially funded health care, education, and social supports. This page collects plain-language resources for settlement workers and the clients they serve.
The referendum does not change law on its own. But the results signal direction on immigration policy and on eligibility for provincially funded health care, education, and social supports. These are the issues that shape the daily work of settlement agencies and the lives of their clients. AAISA is providing information so that workers and clients understand the questions and, where eligible, participate.
Questions 1-5: Provincial policy on immigration and program eligibility.
Questions 6-9: Whether Alberta should seek changes to the Canadian Constituion.
Question 10: Whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada, or begin the legal process toward a binding referendum on separation.
Full official wording is available from Elections Alberta.
Canadian citizens, 18 or older, living in Alberta. Many newcomers are not eligible to vote but are directly affected by the outcome. They can still share what they have learned about the questions with eligible family, friends, and neighbours.
Tuesday, September 1 — Elections Alberta begins mailing special ballots.
Friday, September 25 — Deadline to apply to vote by mail.
Tuesday, October 13 to Saturday, October, 17 — Advance voting, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Friday, October 16 — Completed mail-in ballots must be received by 5 p.m.
Monday, October 19 — Election Day, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A two-page guide written in plain language for clients who are trying to make sense of the referendum. It explains what the referendum is, what a Yes or No result would mean for health care, education and social supports, and how to vote. Settlement workers can print it and hand out this guide, or send it as a PDF.
Un guide de deux pages rédigé dans un langage simple, destiné aux usagers qui cherchent à mieux comprendre le référendum. Il explique en quoi consiste le référendum, quelles seraient les conséquences d’un « oui » ou d’un « non » sur les soins de santé, l’éducation et l’aide sociale, et comment voter. Les accompagnateurs sociaux peuvent l’imprimer et le distribuer, ou l’envoyer au format PDF.
Télécharger le document d'information destiné aux usagers.Settlement workers can use this guide to help clients understand the residency categories referenced in Alberta’s October referendum questions and how different groups may access health care, education, and financial support programs. It can also support informed, non-partisan discussions by providing clear definitions and basic information about the groups affected by the referendum.
Download Understanding Residency Categories in AlbertaLes accompagnateurs à l’installation peuvent utiliser ce guide pour aider leurs clients à comprendre les catégories de résidence mentionnées dans les questions du référendum d’octobre en Alberta, ainsi que les modalités d’accès des différents groupes aux soins de santé, à l’éducation et aux programmes d’aide financière. Ce guide peut également favoriser des discussions éclairées et impartiales en fournissant des définitions claires et des informations de base sur les groupes concernés par le référendum.
Télécharger «Comprendre les catégories de résidence en Alberta»Coming soon: A session for settlement staff on the referendum questions and how to discuss them with clients.
AAISA’s analysis and commentary on immigration policy affecting Alberta newcomers.
Read AAISA's Insights ArticlesThe Nonprofit Chamber’s Before You Vote series covers all 10 questions one at a time. Each post gives the exact ballot wording, what a Yes or No signals, and a section on what it means for the non-profit sector.
Read Nonprofit Chamber's Before You Vote seriesAs immigration continues to be discussed during the referendum period, AAISA and Stop Hate AB invite newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and recently arrived residents to anonymously share their experiences through a short, confidential survey.
Take the survey today