Dignity Forum

The 10 Questions

Every question on the October 19 ballot, explained by people who’ve read the full text — alongside who it touches, what’s really true, and what the law actually allows.

The ballot asks ten things. Here is what each one means.

For every question we show the plain-language ask, the people in our communities it most affects, and an honest read of whether a provincial vote can actually do what it describes. No party names. Every claim is sourced.

Question 1 of 10
Most affects

Family sponsors · PR applicants · temporary workers

Should Alberta take more control over immigration — to lower overall levels, prioritize economic migrants, and give Albertans first priority for new jobs?

What’s true
Immigration levels and admissions are set federally. A provincial vote can press for change but cannot set Canada’s targets or override federal jurisdiction.
How this could affect you
If you sponsor family or are waiting on PR, this signals political pressure to slow intake — but cannot change federal targets directly.
Largely symbolic — the main levers are federal.
Question 2 of 10
Most affects

Work- & study-permit holders · their families

Should access to provincially funded programs — like health care, education, and social services — be limited to citizens, permanent residents, and people with an Alberta-approved immigration status?

What’s true
Several of these services are constitutionally protected for people present in the province (e.g. K-12 education under Charter s.23 / Constitution Act s.93). Health portability and human-rights law set further limits.
How this could affect you
Could restrict program access for people on temporary status — though children’s schooling and emergency care remain protected.
Partly enforceable — court challenges likely for protected services.
Question 3 of 10
Most affects

Newcomers on temporary status

Should people with non-permanent immigration status have to live in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for provincially funded social supports? (Citizens and permanent residents would keep qualifying as they do now.)

What’s true
Residency-based waiting periods sit within provincial authority for some programs, but can conflict with mobility and equality protections and with federal conditions on shared-cost programs.
How this could affect you
Could delay income and social supports for people newly arrived on temporary status.
Partly enforceable — scope-dependent.
Question 4 of 10
Most affects

Temporary residents with children · students

Should Alberta charge a fee or premium to people with non-permanent immigration status for their family’s use of the health-care and education systems? (Citizens and permanent residents would keep qualifying as they do now.)

What’s true
Charging for K-12 education conflicts with Charter s.23 / Constitution Act protections for children present in the province; health-care charges face portability and human-rights limits.
How this could affect you
Could add costs for temporary-resident families — but children’s schooling and emergency care remain protected.
Likely challenged for protected services.
Question 5 of 10
Most affects

New citizens · seniors · anyone without a passport

Should voters have to show documentary proof of citizenship — like a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship card — to vote in an Alberta provincial election?

What’s true
Non-citizens already cannot vote, and Elections Alberta’s register shows very few eligibility penalties across recent general elections. From late 2026 Alberta ID shows a citizenship marker, making a separate document largely redundant.
How this could affect you
Eligible citizens without a passport or recent ID could face new barriers at the polls.
Enforceable — but may reduce turnout among eligible citizens.
Question 6 of 10
Most affects

Everyone — courts & rights

Should Alberta work with other willing provinces to amend the Constitution so that provinces — not the federal government — choose the judges appointed to Alberta’s King’s Bench and Court of Appeal?

What’s true
Superior-court appointments are federal under s.96 of the Constitution Act, 1867. Changing this needs a constitutional amendment with other provinces and Parliament — Alberta cannot do it alone.
How this could affect you
No immediate change; a ‘yes’ is a mandate to seek an amendment that requires federal and multi-provincial agreement.
Aspirational — requires a constitutional amendment.
Question 7 of 10
Most affects

Everyone — federal institutions

Should Alberta work with other willing provinces to amend the Constitution to abolish Canada’s unelected Senate?

What’s true
The Supreme Court held in 2014 that abolishing the Senate needs the unanimous agreement of Parliament and all provinces. A referendum cannot achieve it directly.
How this could affect you
Symbolic; expresses support but cannot change federal institutions on its own.
Aspirational — requires a unanimous constitutional amendment.
Question 8 of 10
Most affects

Users of federally-supported programs

Should Alberta work with other willing provinces to amend the Constitution to let provinces opt out of federal programs in provincial areas (like health, education, social services) without losing the related federal funding?

What’s true
Opting out of cost-shared programs while keeping the money would require a constitutional amendment and federal agreement; today much federal funding is tied to national standards (e.g. the Canada Health Act).
How this could affect you
No immediate change to programs or funding; a mandate to negotiate.
Aspirational — needs an amendment and federal cooperation.
Question 9 of 10
Most affects

Everyone — division of powers

Should Alberta work with other willing provinces to amend the Constitution so a province’s laws take priority over federal laws when they conflict in provincial or shared areas?

What’s true
This would reverse the constitutional doctrine of federal paramountcy and requires a constitutional amendment; a province cannot enact it alone.
How this could affect you
No direct legal effect; expresses a constitutional negotiating position.
Aspirational — requires a constitutional amendment.
Question 10 of 10
Most affects

Every Albertan

Should Alberta remain a province in Canada — or should the government start the legal process toward a future binding referendum on whether Alberta should separate from Canada? (Mark one option.)

What’s true
This question is non-binding and does not decide separation. It asks whether to begin a process toward a possible future binding vote; actual separation would require negotiation and constitutional change under Canadian law.
How this could affect you
The highest-profile question, and counted first. A ‘yes’ directs the government to begin steps toward a future referendum — not to separate.
Non-binding — starts a process, does not enact separation.