## Key takeaways
– Elections Alberta published the official results of the October 19, 2026 Alberta referendum on October 29, 2026.
– Albertans voted to remain in Canada: 74.95% chose Option 1 (1,556,316 votes) over starting the process toward a separation referendum (25.05%, 520,233 votes). Voter turnout was 70.4%.
– All five immigration questions passed: more provincial control over immigration (54.86%), provincially funded programs limited to citizens, permanent residents and Alberta-approved statuses (52.46%), a 12-month Alberta residency requirement before social supports for non-permanent residents (53.12%), a fee or premium for non-permanent residents’ use of health care and education (51.78%), and proof of citizenship to vote in a provincial election (58.06%).
– The four constitutional questions (Q6–Q9) all failed, with Yes votes of 45.36%, 47.28%, 42.44% and 44.17% respectively.
– The referendum questions were non-binding, so the vote on its own changes no immigration rule, eligibility test or service access. Any change would still need legislation next.
## What happened
On October 19, 2026, Albertans voted in a province-wide referendum covering ten questions, five of them about immigration. Preliminary results reported in the days after the vote pointed to a remain vote and Yes majorities on the immigration questions. On October 29, 2026, Elections Alberta published the official results, confirming that direction in full. The official count for Question 10, on whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada, was 1,556,316 votes (74.95%) for remaining, against 520,233 votes (25.05%) for commencing the legal process required to hold a binding provincial referendum on separation. Voter turnout was 70.4%.
## The five immigration questions
Question 1 asked whether Albertans support the Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration, to decrease immigration to more sustainable levels, prioritize economic migration and give Albertans first priority on new employment opportunities. It passed with 54.86% Yes (1,127,729 votes to 927,783).
Question 2 asked whether the province should introduce a law mandating that only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and individuals with an Alberta-approved immigration status be eligible for provincially funded programs such as health care, education and other social services. It passed with 52.46% Yes (1,078,681 to 977,384).
Question 3 asked whether individuals with a non-permanent legal immigration status should have to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for provincially funded social support programs, with citizens and permanent residents continuing to qualify as they do now. It passed with 53.12% Yes (1,096,546 to 967,754).
Question 4 asked whether the province should charge a reasonable fee or premium to individuals with a non-permanent immigration status living in Alberta for their and their family’s use of the health care and education systems, with citizens and permanent residents continuing to qualify as they do now. It passed with 51.78% Yes (1,067,383 to 994,065).
Question 5 asked whether the province should introduce a law requiring individuals to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate or citizenship card, to vote in an Alberta provincial election. It passed with 58.06% Yes (1,200,838 to 867,525), the strongest Yes of the five immigration questions.
## What it does not change yet
Passing a referendum question does not by itself change a law, a program rule or anyone’s eligibility. The questions were non-binding, so nothing about the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, employer pathways or access to provincially funded services changes on the strength of this vote alone. If the provincial government wants to act on the results, it would need to bring forward legislation, and for matters that touch federal jurisdiction, agreement with Ottawa would still be needed. That is why the result matters as a direction of travel rather than as an immediate rule change, and why anyone planning an Alberta application should keep following the rules as they stand today.
## The constitutional questions
Questions 6 to 9, which proposed working with other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution, all failed. Question 6, on provinces selecting justices for provincial superior courts, received 45.36% Yes. Question 7, on abolishing the Senate, received 47.28% Yes. Question 8, on provinces opting out of federal programs without losing funding, received 42.44% Yes. Question 9, on giving provincial laws priority over federal laws in shared areas, received 44.17% Yes. None of them reached a majority, so no constitutional process follows from them.
## Frequently asked questions
Q: What was the official result of the Alberta referendum on remaining in Canada?
A: The official count was 74.95% in favour of Alberta remaining a province of Canada (1,556,316 votes), against 25.05% for commencing the process toward a separation referendum (520,233 votes). Voter turnout was 70.4%.
Q: Did the immigration questions pass?
A: Yes. All five immigration questions passed: provincial control over immigration (54.86%), provincially funded programs limited to citizens, permanent residents and Alberta-approved statuses (52.46%), a 12-month residency wait for social supports (53.12%), fees for health care and education use (51.78%), and proof of citizenship to vote (58.06%).
Q: Does the referendum change Alberta immigration rules now?
A: No. The questions were non-binding, so no immigration rule, eligibility test or service access changes on their own. Any change would need legislation, and where federal jurisdiction is involved, agreement with the federal government.
Q: What happened to the constitutional questions?
A: Questions 6 to 9 all failed, with Yes votes between 42.44% and 47.28%. No constitutional amendment process follows from them.
Q: Where can I get advice on my Alberta immigration plans?
A: The rules as they stand today still govern every application. For an assessment of your options, contact ImmiQuest Immigration at +1 778-855-4155, info@immiquest.ca, or https://immiquest.ca. Vikas Tulashyam, RCIC #R709710