Other premiers stay quiet on Alberta's Oct. 19 constitutional referendum questions
Danielle Smith is asking Albertans to weigh in on four major constitutional reforms next month, but most of her provincial counterparts are declining to say where they stand.
Why it matters
The referendum results could shape Alberta's push for greater provincial autonomy and its relationship with Ottawa and other provinces.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is putting 10 questions to voters in an Oct. 19 referendum, including four proposals for constitutional reform: abolishing the Senate, letting Alberta appoint its own King's Bench and Court of Appeal judges, allowing the province to opt out of federal programs without losing funding, and giving provincial laws precedence over federal law in jurisdictional disputes. Three of the four would likely need support from seven provincial legislatures representing over half of Canada's population, plus Parliament, to take effect.
Smith's government acknowledges Senate abolition is a non-starter without unanimous provincial and Senate consent, but argues the other measures have a realistic path forward and says a strong referendum mandate would help build momentum. The Canadian Press contacted premiers across the country for reaction; most did not respond or declined to comment. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's office declined comment, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson's spokesperson called it a matter for Albertans to decide, and Nunavut Premier John Main said his territory is watching the results closely given shared interests in resource development. Yukon Premier Currie Dixon said he hoped Alberta would remain in Confederation but did not weigh in on the specific proposals.
University of Alberta constitutional law professor Gerard Kennedy said two of the proposals — provincial judicial appointments and opting out of federal programs without penalty — could realistically gain support from other provinces since they expand provincial power at no direct cost to them. He said the bigger obstacle is persuading the federal government to give up authority. Smith previously joined Moe, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and former Quebec premier François Legault in a March letter urging Ottawa to let provinces submit pre-approved lists for judicial appointments, a request federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser rejected.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.