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March 20, 2025 – A former Alberta premier has sharply criticized the provincial government’s push for an immigration referendum, calling it a deliberate “distraction” from the growing crisis in social services. Speaking to reporters in Calgary, the ex-premier—who served under the Progressive Conservative banner—argued that the ballot question, which would ask Albertans whether the province should seek greater control over immigration, is a political sideshow designed to divert attention from years of underfunding in childcare, mental health, addiction treatment, and poverty reduction.
The former leader, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, said the UCP government under Premier Danielle Smith is using the referendum to rally its base ahead of a potential election. “This is a classic deflection tactic,” he said. “While families are struggling to find affordable daycare, while emergency rooms are overwhelmed, and while the homeless population is growing, the government wants us to argue about immigration. It’s irresponsible.”
The referendum, expected to be put to voters as early as this fall, would ask: “Should Alberta negotiate with the federal government to assume full responsibility for the selection and integration of economic immigrants?” The Smith government argues that Alberta’s booming economy requires a more nimble immigration system tailored to the province’s labour needs. However, critics say the move is unnecessary and could lead to constitutional clashes, while doing nothing to address the immediate social service gaps.
Social Services Under Strain
The former premier’s comments come as a new report from the Alberta Council of Social Services reveals that per-capita funding for social programs has dropped by 12% in real terms over the past five years. The report highlights that wait times for mental health counselling in Edmonton and Calgary now exceed six months, and that over 40,000 children remain on waitlists for subsidized childcare. “The social safety net is fraying,” said Dr. Lisa Tran, a public policy professor at the University of Alberta. “But the government is spending political capital on a referendum that has no clear timeline or cost estimate.”
The ex-premier echoed this, pointing to a recent internal briefing note he said he had seen, which warns that the province’s addiction treatment system is operating at 150% capacity. “Instead of investing in more treatment beds, they’re spending millions on a referendum campaign. That’s a choice, and it’s the wrong one.”
Political Motives Under Fire
Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley also weighed in, accusing the UCP of using the referendum to “change the channel” from its own record. “Danielle Smith knows that her government has failed to deliver on child care, on health care, on housing,” Notley said in a statement. “So she’s trying to pick a fight with Ottawa to distract Albertans from the mess she’s created.”
The federal government, meanwhile, has signaled that it is open to discussing more provincial control over immigration, but has not committed to any major changes. Immigration Minister Marc Miller said last week that Ottawa “will not sign a blank cheque” and that any transfer of powers would require a “full fiscal framework.”
A Growing Divide
The referendum has also exposed rifts within the UCP caucus. Several rural MLAs have privately
