Alberta Premier Danielle Smith votes to stay in Canada in separation referendum
The premier cast her ballot at an advance poll and encouraged Albertans to support nine other proposals on immigration and constitutional reform.
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has voted at an advance poll for the province to stay in Canada.
Smith said in a video on social media about Monday’s referendum that it’s not the time to give up hope on the country.
“Canada can still work,” she said. “We just need to make some changes.”
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She said she knows many Albertans are frustrated with Ottawa but that the province is starting to see progress with major projects, including a proposed new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast.
The premier said if Albertans want to send a message to the federal government then they should vote in support of nine proposals also on the ballot that deal with immigration and constitutional reform.
“Voting yes to questions one through nine is how we send a message to Ottawa that provinces need more autonomy and respect if Canada is going to be stronger and unified,” she said.
Smith has put 10 questions on the ballot, including one that asks whether Albertans want to stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on quitting Confederation.
The other nine questions deal with proposals Smith has put forward for immigration and constitutional reform. Her government seeks approval from Albertans to seek more control over immigration, along with new rules and fees for newcomers.
They also seek approval from Albertans to pursue working with other provinces to change the Constitution and devolve more power to provinces.
Elections Alberta says nearly 175,000 voters trekked to the polls Tuesday for the first day of advance voting, suggesting interest remains high for the historic referendum.
Michelle Gurney, a spokesperson for the agency, said Tuesday’s turnout was higher than the daily average of nearly 152,000 people seen during the advance voting period in the 2023 provincial election.
Gurney said a few advance polling stations stayed open late Tuesday to accommodate those who were in line before 8 p.m., including one that kept the lights on for three hours after it was supposed to close.
Technology issues at 17 polling stations meant some also stayed late to make up for delayed openings.
Issues also came up Wednesday, when severe winds caused afternoon power outages at two rural polling stations north of Edmonton.
Elections Alberta has said it’s expecting record voter turnout for the referendum, and it saw unprecedented interest in mail-in ballot requests.
Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi was among those who voted Tuesday, and is encouraging Albertans to reject the United Conservative Party government’s nine proposals and vote to stay in Canada.
Advance voting began Tuesday and ends Saturday.
With files from The Canadian Press, CityNews and Global News