Official results
Alberta stays in Canada. 74.95% (1,556,316 votes) chose to remain a province, and 25.05% (520,233) to start the legal process toward a separation vote. Premier Danielle Smith said she will not hold another referendum on separation while she is premier.
The immigration questions passed, narrowly. Questions 1 to 5 all got a majority yes, between 51.8% and 58.1%. The fee for temporary residents (question 4) had the closest result of the night. All four constitutional questions (6 to 9) failed, with 42.4% to 47.3% yes.
| # | Question (short) | Yes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | More provincial control over immigration | 54.9% | Passed |
| 2 | Limit provincial programs to citizens, PRs and "Alberta-approved" status | 52.5% | Passed |
| 3 | 12-month wait for temporary residents to get social supports | 53.1% | Passed |
| 4 | Fee or premium for temporary residents' health care and schools | 51.8% | Passed |
| 5 | Proof of citizenship to vote | 58.1% | Passed |
| 6 | Provinces select superior court judges | 45.4% | Failed |
| 7 | Abolish the Senate | 47.3% | Failed |
| 8 | Opt out of federal programs with full funding | 42.4% | Failed |
| 9 | Provincial laws take priority in shared areas | 44.2% | Failed |
| 10 | Remain a province of Canada | 74.95% remain | Remain |
Official results from Elections Alberta, released October 29, 2026. Turnout was about 70% on every question (70.4% on question 10). Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
What the results mean for newcomers
The referendum is not binding, so nothing changed on October 20. Each yes result now depends on the provincial government writing and passing a law, and on Ottawa where immigration powers are shared. As of November 1, 2026, no bill has been introduced and no start date announced.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, the questions on health care, education and social programs do not change your access, according to the Government of Alberta's referendum site.
If you are in Alberta on a work or study permit, all three questions aimed at you passed: limiting provincial programs to people with "Alberta-approved" status, a 12-month wait for social supports, and a fee or premium for health care and education. Smith said after the vote that her government will pursue more control over immigration and require temporary residents to contribute to the cost of public services. Before the vote she floated a health care fee of $1,900 per person, modelled on the U.K.'s immigration health surcharge, and Finance Minister Jason Nixon said a fee would likely not take effect until after the 2027 provincial election (CBC News, September 22, 2026). Whether people already in Alberta on a permit would pay is still undecided; Nixon said that would follow consultations.
Separation is off the table. 74.95% voted to remain, slightly above the 66% to 73% that pre-vote polls showed.
The immigration questions, in plain English
| # | What it asks | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | More provincial control over immigration, to lower it to "more sustainable levels", favour economic migrants, and give Albertans first priority for new jobs | Future newcomers, through Alberta's nominee and selection programs |
| 2 | A law limiting provincially funded programs (health care, education, social services) to citizens, PRs and people with "Alberta-approved" immigration status | Temporary residents whose status Alberta does not approve |
| 3 | Temporary residents must live in Alberta 12 months before qualifying for provincial social supports (childcare subsidies, student aid, income supports) | New work- and study-permit holders |
| 4 | A "reasonable fee or premium" for temporary residents and their families who use health care and schools | Temporary residents and their children |
| 5 | Proof of citizenship to vote in provincial elections | All voters |
The government's site says the options would not affect permanent residents and that emergency care would still be provided. It puts the cost of provincial services for temporary residents at more than $1 billion a year. Questions 6 to 9 ask about working with other provinces to change the Constitution: provincial selection of judges, abolishing the Senate, opting out of federal programs with full funding, and provincial laws taking priority in shared areas.
The separation question: polls vs result
Question 10 reads, in part: "Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?"
| Pollster | Field dates | Remain | Start process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angus Reid | Oct 13–15, 2026 | 66% | 34% |
| Pollara | Oct 2–15, 2026 | 73% | 23% |
| Leger | Oct 2–4, 2026 | 70% | 22% |
| Ipsos | Sep 18–22, 2026 | 70% | 20% |
| Janet Brown | Sep 8–21, 2026 | 72% | 23% |
Poll figures as compiled on Wikipedia's referendum page; undecided voters account for the remainder.
The result, 74.95% remain, came in above every poll. Had "commence the legal process" won, it would only have led to a second, binding referendum; separation would also have required negotiations under the Clarity Act and a constitutional amendment.
Should this change your plan to move to Alberta?
- Permanent residents and Americans with a PR path: the direct effect is small. Alberta's draw is unchanged — no provincial sales tax, a top combined income-tax rate of 48%, and housing well below Toronto and Vancouver.
- Work- or study-permit holders: question 4 passed with 51.8%, so budget for the possibility of a health or school premium — the figure floated so far is $1,900 per person, likely not until after the 2027 provincial election — and keep private health insurance quotes on hand. Check whether your route leads to permanent residence quickly, since PRs are excluded from questions 2 to 4.
- Families with children on temporary status: question 4 explicitly covers "their family's use" of schools. If tuition-style school fees would break your budget, compare B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario before you commit.
- Everyone: nothing changed on October 20. Watch for the bills the government introduces next — that is when the details, amounts and dates appear. We will update this page when they do.
Who can vote in Canada: permanent residents, citizens and Americans
| Vote | Who can vote | Permanent residents? |
|---|---|---|
| Federal election | Canadian citizens 18 or older (Elections Canada) | No |
| Alberta provincial election | Citizens 18 or older who ordinarily live in Alberta (Elections Alberta) | No |
| Alberta referendum | Citizens 18 or older who ordinarily live in Alberta (Elections Alberta, May 2026) | No |
| Ontario municipal and school board elections | Citizens 18 or older who live, own or rent in the municipality (Ontario voters' guide) | No |
- Getting the vote means citizenship. You can apply after living in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) in the five years before you apply. A voter card sent to a permanent resident by mistake does not make them eligible.
- Americans keep their US vote. US citizens living in Canada can still vote absentee in US federal elections, registered at the last US address where they lived (FVAP). Becoming a Canadian citizen does not take that away.
Frequently asked questions
Compare Alberta with the alternatives
See take-home pay, rent and groceries for Alberta next to every other province.