• Danielle Smith calls for unity after separatism rejected in Alberta referendum

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-21 00:58:00.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Immigration, Economy, Energy]

  Alberta voters decisively rejected separation from Canada, with approximately 75 percent voting against leaving in a historic referendum that saw 1.9 million ballots cast. Premier Danielle Smith stated that Alberta will remain a province of Canada and confirmed she will not hold another referendum on the issue during her tenure. Alongside the separatism question, voters passed eight out of nine additional government proposals, including initiatives focused on provincial oversight of immigration, increased limitations or fees for temporary workers accessing health care and education, and requiring proof of citizenship to vote provincially.

  Read Original

• 'Slippery' questions: Referendum talk hits Canadian Club ahead of advanced voting

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-10 12:44:31.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Immigration, Economy]

  Ahead of advanced voting for an Alberta referendum beginning on Tuesday, October 17, former University of Alberta chancellor Peggy Garritty spoke on behalf of the Before You Vote group at the Canadian Club of Edmonton to urge voters to keep Alberta in Canada. Garritty criticized the referendum's inclusion of five immigration questions and four constitutional questions—such as abolishing the Senate—arguing they rely on misleading assumptions and face insurmountable legal hurdles like the requirement for unanimous parliamentary and provincial consent. Referencing studies from the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Alberta, she warned that separation carries severe economic risks akin to Brexit and Quebec secession, while noting that immigration has declined by more than 105 per cent since the first quarter of 2025.

  Read Original

• Quebec residents head to the polls in provincial election

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-05 10:00:17.0
  Tags: [Quebec, Governance, Economy, Finance, Immigration]

  Quebec residents headed to the polls for a provincial election following a 39-day campaign featuring five main parties: the separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) led by Christine Fréchette, the Quebec Liberal Party led by Charles Milliard, the Conservative Party of Quebec led by Éric Duhaime, and Québec Solidaire led by Ruba Ghazal. Polling by Leger showed the PQ leading at 29 per cent with a 16-percentage point advantage among francophone voters, while the province's deficit sat at $7.2 billion for the previous fiscal year. The campaign highlighted key issues including a proposed PQ separation referendum by 2029, provincial fiscal management, immigration, language policy, and economic uncertainty tied to the United States.

  Read Original

• Canada did not see historic population decline last year, StatsCan says after second look

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-28 19:58:24.0
  Tags: [National, Immigration, Economy, Governance]

  Statistics Canada revised its 2025 population estimates, showing a national population increase of 280,810 people rather than the previously reported historic net decline. The updated administrative data reflects a significant slowdown in population growth driven by federal cutbacks to both permanent and temporary immigration under the administration of Prime Minister Mark Carney. Under current targets set in the federal budget, Canada aims to admit 385,000 temporary residents in 2026—representing a 43 percent reduction from 2025 levels—and cap new permanent residents at 380,000 annually between 2026 and 2028.

  Read Original

• Public Advisory: Help Shape Newfoundland and Labrador’s Population Growth Strategy

  Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
  Date: 2026-09-22 12:30:26.0
  Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Economy, Labour, Immigration, Governance]

  The Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development of Newfoundland and Labrador has launched a public consultation process to inform the development of a new population growth strategy. Operating through the EngageNL platform and accepting direct email submissions until October 11, 2026, the strategy focuses on four main pillars: growing the workforce, growing families, growing regions, and growing in-migration. Additionally, targeted questionnaires are being distributed to municipal governments, Indigenous governments and organizations, and provincial employers to gather diverse perspectives on regional economic and population development.

  Read Original

• Premier Danielle Smith caught by tears during forum on Alberta referendum, grievances with Ottawa

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-19 20:45:40.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Immigration, Economy]

  Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced an upcoming Oct. 19 referendum featuring nine questions focused on immigration policy and constitutional reform, including provincial authority to choose judges, abolish the senate, prioritize provincial laws, and opt out of federal programs. Smith stated that Alberta's population grew by approximately 600,000 people over five years due to federal immigration levels, imposing over one billion dollars annually in temporary resident service costs on provincial healthcare, education, and housing infrastructure. Despite supporting Alberta remaining in Canada, Smith indicated the ballot will gauge public grievances and provide political leverage against federal policies.

  Read Original