Chestermere-Strathmore voters favoured keeping Alberta in Canada in the Oct. 19 provincial referendum, with 69.1 per cent of valid votes supporting the province’s continued place in Confederation.
The riding recorded 19,607 votes for remaining in Canada and 8,786 for beginning the legal process toward a future binding referendum on separation. The difference between the two options was 10,821 votes.
Question 10 was non-binding. It asked voters to choose between remaining a Canadian province and pursuing the constitutional process required for another referendum. It was not a direct vote to separate.
Across Alberta, 74.9 per cent supported remaining in Canada, compared with 25.1 per cent favouring the alternative. Local support for remaining was therefore below the provincial share, although it still represented more than two-thirds of valid responses.
The riding had 42,303 eligible electors. Reported turnout on Question 10 was 71.6 per cent. Turnout includes rejected ballots, while the percentages supporting each option reflect valid votes.
On the other nine questions, Chestermere-Strathmore recorded more yes votes than no votes on every proposal.
The closest result concerned allowing provinces to leave federal programs in areas of provincial jurisdiction while retaining associated federal funding. That proposal received 14,452 votes in favour and 13,977 against, a margin of 475.
Other constitutional proposals drew wider local margins. Provincial selection of judges for King’s Bench and appeal courts received 15,373 yes votes against 12,546 no votes. Abolishing the Senate attracted 15,762 votes in favour and 12,346 opposed.
Giving provincial laws priority over conflicting federal laws in provincial or shared areas of jurisdiction received 15,066 yes votes and 13,456 no votes.
Among the five immigration and voting proposals, requiring proof of Canadian citizenship in provincial elections drew the largest number of affirmative votes: 19,585, compared with 8,815 opposed.
Greater provincial control over immigration received 18,575 yes votes and 9,854 no votes. Proposed eligibility restrictions for provincially funded services received 18,029 votes in favour and 10,529 against.
A proposed 12-month residency requirement for social support eligibility among people with non-permanent immigration status drew 18,084 yes votes and 10,395 no votes.
Charging people with non-permanent immigration status fees or premiums for their families’ health care and education received 17,764 votes in favour and 10,703 opposed.
The first five questions were also non-binding. Their results recorded voter preferences on the proposals; they did not themselves introduce new eligibility rules, service charges or requirements for voting in Alberta’s provincial elections.