Support for remaining part of Canada was strongest in Alberta’s major cities, as polls had predicted ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum. But the preliminary results also reveal other notable patterns in how Albertans voted.
About 75 percent of Albertans voted against separation, while 25 percent supported holding a binding separation referendum, according to preliminary results as of the evening of Oct. 20, with 90 percent of voting locations reporting.
Outside Edmonton and Calgary, support for holding a separation referendum reached 34 percent, compared with less than 20 percent in the province’s two major cities.
Two rural electoral divisions had more votes against remain than for: Central Peace-Notley in northern Alberta, and Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre in the central part of the province, each with 51 percent voting against remain.
The referendum included nine other questions. Questions one to five dealt with giving the province more control over immigration and allowing it to use its resources on immigration programs more judiciously, while questions six to nine dealt with changes that would require constitutional reform, including opting out of federal programs to introduce provincial equivalents, provincial input in judicial appointments, and abolishing the Senate.
The question with the highest proportion of “Yes” votes was Question 5, which asked whether proof of citizenship should be required to vote, an issue that has been a point of contention south of the border. Overall, 64 percent of Albertans voted in favour of requiring proof of citizenship, while 36 percent voted against. Outside Edmonton and Calgary, support rose to 75 percent, but stood at around 50 percent in the province’s two major cities.
Supporters of the Forever Canadian group, who want Alberta to remain in Canada, wave Canadian flags as they watch the results of a non-binding referendum on Alberta sovereignty, in Edmonton on Oct. 19, 2026. Reuters/Todd Korol
The only question to get more “No” votes compared to “Yes” votes out of questions one to nine, according to preliminary results, was question eight. This question proposed changing the constitution to allow the provinces to opt out of federal programs related to health health care, education, and social services without losing the federal funding, to be able to create the province’s equivalent programs. About 51 percent of voters rejected this proposal.
Questions 1 through 5, which dealt with immigration issues and didn’t require constitutional reform, received province-wide “Yes” votes of between 50 and 60 percent. In Edmonton and Calgary, however, “No” votes generally ranged from 50 to 60 percent. In rural areas, “Yes” votes reached the high 60s, pushing the province-wide “Yes” vote above 50 percent on each question.
The questions that required constitutional reform saw more divided results. The three that passed did so with “Yes” votes of just over 50 percent, while Question 8 failed by just one percentage point. Outside Edmonton and Calgary, the “Yes” vote for these changes was in the low 60s. Conversely, the “No” vote in the two major cities was in the same range for this question.
In both Edmonton and Calgary, almost none of the proposals passed with the exception of question five, relating to the proof of citizenship for voting, which just barely surpassed the 50 percent mark.
Alberta Prosperity Project supporters watch the referendum results start to appear in Edmonton, on Oct. 19, 2026. The Canadian Press/John Ulan
Question 1
The first question on the ballot asked residents if Alberta should have more control over immigration so it can be decreased to more “sustainable levels,” while also prioritizing Albertans for new employment opportunities.
With 90 percent of voting locations reporting, 54 percent of Albertans voted for this change, while 46 percent voted against.
Edmonton residents demonstrated the least support for the proposal at 42 percent, while Calgary followed closely at 45 percent. The remaining voters outside of these two cities embraced the concept at 66 percent.
Question 2
The second question explored whether residents backed legislation mandating that only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those holding Alberta-recognized immigration credentials could access provincially funded programs, as the province deals with an influx of migration.
Preliminary figures show an overall “Yes” vote of 55 percent, and 45 percent against.
Edmonton against showed the lowest level of support, at 41 percent. In Calgary, 47 percent voted in favour, while 65 percent of Albertans outside these cities endorsed it.
Voters enter the Royal Canadian Legion in Wainwright, Alta., on Oct. 19, 2026 to vote in the provincial referendum. Paul Rowan Brian/The Epoch Times
Question 3
The third question asked if Alberta should introduce a law requiring all individuals with a non-permanent legal immigration status to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for any provincially funded social support programs.
Overall, 58 percent of Albertans voted for this proposal, and 42 percent voted against.
Only 44 percent of Edmontonians voted for this change, followed closely by 49 percent of Calgarians. Outside the two major urban centres, support for this change was at 67 percent.
Question 4
Question four asked if residents would support the province charging a “reasonable fee or premium” to individuals with a non-permanent immigration status living for use of Alberta’s health care and education systems.
The fee proposal garnered backing from 57 percent of Albertans, with 43 percent against.
The “Yes” vote in Edmonton was again at 44 percent, and 49 percent in Calgary. Support in other parts of the province for this proposal was at 66 percent.
A polling station in Calgary during Alberta's referendum on Oct. 19, 2026. Carlos Herrera for The Epoch Times
Question 5
The middle question on the ballot received the highest proportion of “Yes” votes. It asked if a law should be introduced requiring individuals to provide proof of citizenship to vote in an Alberta provincial election.
About 64 percent of people in the province voted to adopt this change, while 36 percent voted against it.
Half of Edmontonians, or 50 percent, backed the proposal, trailing behind Calgary’s 54 percent support. Those outside of these two cities supported this change with 73 percent “Yes” votes.
Question 6
The sixth question posed to residents inquired whether they would back Alberta’s government collaborating with other provincial governments to modify the constitution, enabling provinces to choose the justices assigned to their provincial King’s Bench and Appeal courts.
Preliminary results show the proposal passing narrowly with 51 percent, with 49 percent against.
Only 36 percent of Edmontonians backed this proposal compared to 41 percent of Calgarians and 62 percent of remaining voters.
Alberta referendum mail-in special ballots are seen in Calgary, on Sept. 24, 2026. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh
Question 7
Voters were next asked if Alberta should work with other provinces to amend the constitution so the unelected Senate could be abolished.
The proposal had the overall support of 54 percent of Albertans, with 46 perceng against.
Edmonton voters showed the least enthusiasm, with only 38 percent in favour of this proposal, followed by Calgary’s 44 percent “Yes” vote. Support for this change outside the two cities was at 64 percent.
Question 8
Question eight asked if Alberta should work with other governments to amend the Constitution so provinces can opt out of federal programs that the province says intrude on provincial jurisdiction, without a province losing any of the associated federal funding, so they can create their own versions of the program. The question cited examples such as health care, education, and social services.
Overall, 51 percent of Albertans rejected this proposal, with 49 percent voting in support.
A voting sign to be used for the 2026 Alberta Referendum in Edmonton, Alta., on Sept. 3, 2026. The Canadian Press/James Maclennan
Question 9
The last of the constitutional questions asked if Alberta should collaborate with other provinces to strengthen protection of provincial rights against what the province considers federal overreach by establishing that provincial legislation in areas of provincial or shared constitutional authority takes precedence over conflicting federal legislation.
Preliminary results show the proposal passing narrowly with 51 percent of the vote, and 49 percent against.
Support was once again the lowest in Edmonton, where just 38 percent of voters backed the measure, compared to 41 percent in Calgary and 62 percent throughout the rest of the province.
Question 10
The separation question may have been the final question on the ballot, but it was also the one that received the most definitive response, with approximately 75 percent of Albertans casting their ballots to remain in Canada and 25 percent supporting a binding separation vote.
Preliminary data from Elections Alberta showed that 86 percent of voters in Edmonton and 82 percent in Calgary favoured remaining in the federation. In the rest of the province, support for the remain side was at 66 percent.
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