Alberta's Catholic bishops urge voters to weigh referendum's impact on vulnerable
With Albertans set to vote on 10 referendum questions Oct. 19, the province's five Catholic bishops have published a letter calling for compassion toward those affected.
Why it matters
The referendum could change health care and education eligibility for some immigrants in Alberta, directly affecting access to public services across the province.
Alberta's five Catholic bishops have issued a letter asking parishioners to consider how proposals in the province's upcoming referendum could affect vulnerable people. Albertans go to the polls Oct. 19 to vote on 10 questions, five of which concern immigration policy and newcomers' access to public services.
Among Premier Danielle Smith's proposals is a measure that would make some immigrants ineligible for health care and public education, framed as a response to pressures from rapid population growth. In their letter, published last week, the bishops asked followers to think about the potential effects on children, people living in poverty, the sick and those who are isolated.
The bishops acknowledged that concerns about strained resources and access to public services are legitimate and deserve careful consideration as Albertans decide how to vote. At the same time, they wrote that a person's worth does not depend on their citizenship, income, ability or contribution to society.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.