Federalists Want Carney to Fight the Other Nine Questions
The stay-in-Canada crowd has a new worry. It isn't only Question 10, the independence question. It's the other nine, the ones about immigration, judges, the Senate and provincial power. And now some federalist campaigners want Prime Minister Mark Carney to come out swinging against those too.
By Jason LaFace | Alberta Radio
Sunday, October 4, 2026
What the nine questions ask
The nine were the UCP's original referendum package before the independence question was added. Four deal with the Constitution: having provinces, not Ottawa, pick judges for the provincial King's Bench and Appeal courts; abolishing the unelected Senate; letting provinces opt out of federal programs that intrude on provincial jurisdiction without losing the funding; and giving provincial laws priority when they conflict with federal laws in provincial or shared areas.
Five deal with immigration: more provincial control to bring immigration down to "more sustainable levels" and give Albertans first priority on new jobs; limiting provincially funded programs to citizens, permanent residents and those with Alberta-approved status; a 12-month residency requirement before some temporary residents can access provincial social supports; a "reasonable fee or premium" for health and education services; and proof of citizenship to vote provincially.
Premier Danielle Smith put a number on one of them on Wednesday, saying her government is considering a health-care premium of about $1,900 for some temporary residents if the question passes. No final fee has been set. Smith noted roughly 600,000 people have moved to Alberta in the past five years. The province is running an estimated $4-million ad campaign urging a yes on all nine.
The stay side wants Ottawa in the ring
"The other nine questions are a stick in the eye to the government of Canada," said Stephen Carter, a founder of the stay-side group Alberta's Voice. Avnish Nanda of Our Alberta Advantage warned federalists could end up with a "hollow victory" if separation loses but the immigration questions pass. Public Interest Alberta is urging more leaders to speak out.
So far, Ottawa is keeping its distance. Calgary Liberal MP Corey Hogan said there is "no official position of the government of Canada" on the nine, adding he wasn't sure it would be appropriate for Ottawa "to wade in on every single one." The PMO repeated that Canada and Alberta are "stronger together." Edmonton MP Eleanor Olszewski, the only cabinet minister from an Alberta riding, said she personally voted against the nine questions.
The LaFace take
Here's what the federalist lobby keeps missing. These aren't separatist questions. They're the moderate menu: pick our own judges, scrap a Senate nobody elected, control our own programs, and decide who gets the services Albertans pay for. Recent survey work shows support for the nine reforms running between 48 and 62 per cent depending on the question. That's not fringe. That's the mainstream of this province.
If Ottawa jumps in to campaign against Albertans asking for more say over their own affairs, it will prove the very point the independence side has been making for a decade. Carney's people seem to understand that. The activists don't.
Advance voting runs Oct. 13 to 17. Referendum day is Oct. 19. Read all ten questions before you mark your ballot.
Source: Os1ris News Aggregation
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