Referendum or Referendumb?
What Is Happening
Alberta is holding a referendum on October 19 2026.
There are nine questions - 5 about immigration, 4 about the Constitution.
The government has an official website about the referendum. Critics are calling it propaganda using taxpayer dollars.
Courtesy of albertareferendum2026.ca
A second website exists.
Courtesy of albertareferendumb.ca
It uses the same layout and headings. It includes the government's numbers and then adds a section called "What They Left Out."
What The Official Government Website Says
The government website says federal immigration policy has caused rapid population growth.
It lists costs.
$600 million for education.
$1 billion for provincial programs.
It says youth unemployment is 15.6 percent.
The website says the referendum questions are about protecting services and strengthening Alberta's position within a united Canada.
What The Second Website Adds
The second website does not appear to remove anything from the government's version; it adds additional information.
Under the population growth number, it notes that the government spent millions on "Alberta is Calling" ads encouraging people to move to the province.
Under the cost of education, it notes that children of temporary residents attend school and that their parents work and pay taxes.
Under the youth unemployment number, it notes that Premier Smith asked the federal government in 2024 to double Alberta's immigration allotment.
On the constitutional questions, it notes that changes like abolishing the Senate or changing judicial appointments require agreement from multiple provinces and in some cases unanimous national consent. These are not changes Alberta can make on its own.
A Driver's License Law
The Alberta government has passed a law affecting driver's licenses. When the law takes effect, licenses will show "CAN" for Canadian citizens, this is mandatory. Permanent residents and non citizens will have no marker. Albertans will have to prove their citizenship to renew their license.
Service Alberta allows license renewal within one year of the expiry date. Some Albertans whose licenses expire within that window can renew under the current rules before the new system begins. Others whose licenses expire further out cannot renew early.
What Critics Say. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has said the law threatens privacy and equality rights. Some immigration advocates have called it a "show me your papers" law. One letter to the Lethbridge Herald described it as "a solution in search of a problem," noting that Alberta does not have documented election fraud issues.
What The Government Says. Officials have said the law is about efficiency and reducing the need for multiple pieces of ID. They have said it helps confirm identity for voting and accessing services.
Legal challenges may follow.
About The Second Website
The second website is not an official government source. Its own disclaimer states that it is "an independent political commentary and public interest project" and that it exists for "commentary, criticism, public education, and political analysis."
The site states that visual similarities to official government materials are "used as part of political commentary and parody." It does not claim to represent any official institution and says it should not be interpreted as an official government resource.
The site was created by people who oppose the referendum. It has its own perspective.
It is structured to mirror the government site directly. This allows a side by side comparison. One site presents one set of information. The other site presents additional information the first one left out.
For Voters
Both websites are available to read. The government's arguments are on its site. The additional context is on the other site.
Voters may also wish to check primary sources. The Premier's 2024 letter to the federal government is public. The rules for constitutional amendments are in the Constitution Act 1982. The driver's license legislation is available through the Alberta King's Printer.
The referendum will be held October 19 2026.
Screenshots below from albertareferendum2026 and albertareferendumb2026
