Central Albertans react as Alberta referendum vote to stay in Canada confirmed
Red Deer-area voices, from a former Harper-era MP to a local chamber of commerce CEO, are weighing in after Albertans voted this week to remain in Canada.
Why it matters
The referendum's outcome and its costly, divisive campaign will shape how Alberta's relationship with the federal government and immigration policy are debated going forward.
Reaction continued this week after Alberta's referendum, with rdnewsNOW gathering responses from Central Albertans including Thomas Lukaszuk, founder of Forever Canadian, and Monte Solberg, founder of Vote to Stay and a former Medicine Hat MP under Stephen Harper.
Lukaszuk said the referendum cost a minimum of $135 million and divided Albertans, calling it 'worse than a waste of time,' though he said it showed how proud Albertans are to be Canadian. He said Forever Canadian will open a new office in Edmonton and remain 'trigger-ready' to campaign again if needed.
Solberg, who appeared at a Red Deer event last week headlined by Prime Minister Mark Carney, said Carney's government must tackle the affordability crisis, resolve the trade dispute with the United States, and reassess how Canadian federalism works for Alberta.
Ursella Khan, a Red Deer high school graduate, said she was glad Albertans voted to stay but raised concerns about five immigration-related questions on the ballot, saying the wording obscured what she sees as racist undertones. Frank Creasey, CEO of the Red Deer District Chamber of Commerce, said the result should be positive for the local business community given global economic turmoil.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.