Referendum wording raises concerns as Albertans vote today
As Albertans vote today, concerns persist about the clarity of referendum questions and what the wording means for voter understanding and trust.
An advertisement for the Alberta referendum located along 97th Street in Edmonton. Photo credit: Ian Price
Albertans are voting today amid ongoing concerns that confusing wording in the province’s referendum questions could undermine voter understanding and trust.
The Oct. 19 vote includes 10 questions on immigration, constitutional changes and whether Alberta should begin the legal process toward a future binding referendum on separation from Canada.
Question 10 asks voters whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada or begin that process. Other questions address matters such as provincial control over immigration.
According to Elections Alberta’s official referendum information, one of the immigration questions asks voters whether they support the “Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration for the purposes of decreasing immigration to more sustainable levels, prioritizing economic migration and giving Albertans first priority on new employment opportunities?”
The full list of referendum questions and related provincial documents is available on the Elections Alberta website.
MacEwan student Joshua Lamonden, who voted in advance polls, shared his concerns about the referendum and its immigration questions.
“We need to handle immigration with respect and maturity and want to create a world which people can live in, which is sustainable for everyone,” said Lamonden.
CBC News previously reported concerns about the wording, quoting people who described the referendum questions as “complex” and “hard to understand.”
Asked about the wording, Lamonden said, “I think the questions are, to a certain extent, designed to be confusing.”
Lamonden said the wording fell short of what he expected from the government.
Jeffrey Rice, an assistant professor in MacEwan’s Department of Anthropology, Economics and Political Science, also raised concerns about how voters might interpret the questions.
“The questions are phrased in a way that can, and will be, confusing to some voters,” he said.
Rice said the effect of confusing wording matters more than whether it is intentional.
“Needlessly obtuse language dampens engagement and voter trust in the system. In a vote where the stakes are actually quite high, it is always beneficial to be as clear as possible.”
Voters will receive a separate ballot for each question. Questions 1 through 9 require a yes or no response, while Question 10 offers two choices.
The wording is set out in provincial orders in council. Elections Alberta directs voters seeking an interpretation of the questions to the provincial government or their MLA.
