Civic Engagement and Elections

Being engaged in your community starts with understanding how decisions are made and how you can take part. Explore information about elections, divisions of power, and ways to participate at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

Through books, programs, events and trusted online resources, the Library is here to support you in staying informed and involved.

Get Ready for the October 19 Referendum

Take the next step and get ready to participate in Alberta's referendum this October. Visit Elections Alberta to confirm your voter registration and learn about voter eligibility, required ID, important dates, and voting options.

Planning your vote is an important part of making your voice heard on the issues that matter to Albertans. Take time to learn about the the ten ballot questions, explore different perspectives, and make an informed decision before heading to the polls.

What is a referendum?

A referendum is a vote by eligible voters on a specific question.

Why do we have referendums?

Referendums are used to gather public input on specific issues.

How is a referendum different than an election?

In a referendum you are voting on specific issues. In an election you vote to elect officials to represent you in government.

How does it work?

A question is proposed.
Requirements are reviewed.
Information is shared with the public.
The public votes.
Votes are counted.
Results are certified.

What happens next?

Results are announced publicly.
Governments review the outcome.
Decisions and next steps depend on a variety of factors such as existing legislation.

Prepare for the Referendum

Have a better understanding of the referendum process and the topics being voted on.

Attend a Referendum program

Referendum Facts

Ballots will be hand counted.

Alberta has held three referendum votes before 2026.

Referendums in Alberta are governed by the Referendum Act.

Your Voice Matters!

Eligible voters will receive ten separate ballots with questions related to separation, immigration, and the Canadian Constitution.

Your vote will help direct the Government of Alberta on future planning for the province.

Below you will find the ten official ballot questions and resources to learn more about the topics addressed in the questions.

Separation from Canada Questions

This ballot question addresses topics such as the Canadian Constitution and binding referendums.

Official Ballot Question 10:

Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?

Option 1
Alberta should remain a province of Canada.

Option 2
The Government of Alberta should commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.

To learn more about these topics, please see these resources:

The Canadian Constitution is the highest law in Canada. It explains how governments are organized, what powers they have, and the rights and freedoms that people in Canada are guaranteed. Learn about the Canadian Constitution at laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-1.html

The Canadian Constitution describes the roles of courts, judges, and governments in making and applying laws. To understand how Canada's justice system works and how the Constitution helps protect the rights of people in Canada, visit justice.canada.ca/eng/rp-pr/cp-pm/just/05.html

The Referendum Act explains how Alberta can hold a referendum, which is a vote where Albertans are asked to share their opinion on important public questions. It describes the rules for running a referendum and how the results are used, including information on binding referendums. Learn more about how it works at kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/r08p4.pdf

Elections Alberta is an independent office that oversees provincial elections, by-elections, referendums, and voter registration in Alberta. It helps Albertans understand and take part in the democratic process. For information about how elections work, who can vote, how to register, and where to find official election, visit results.elections.ab.ca/

Immigration Questions

These ballot questions address topics such as immigration, access to provincially funded programs, and employment.

Questions 1 – 5 are yes / no questions. Electors will mark either “yes” or “no” on their ballots.

Official Ballot Question 1:
Do you support the Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration for the
purposes of decreasing immigration to more sustainable levels, prioritizing economic migration,
and giving Albertans first priority on new employment opportunities?

Official Ballot Question 2:
Do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law mandating that only Canadian
citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with an Alberta-approved immigration status
will be eligible for provincially-funded programs, such as health care, education and other
social services?

Official Ballot Question 3:
Assuming that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for social support
programs as they do now, do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring
all individuals with a non-permanent legal immigration status to reside in Alberta for at least 12
months before qualifying for any provincially-funded social support programs?

Official Ballot Question 4:
Assuming that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for public health
care and education as they do now, do you support the Government of Alberta charging a
reasonable fee or premium to individuals with a non-permanent immigration status living in
Alberta for their and their family’s use of the healthcare and education systems?

Official Ballot Question 5:
Do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring individuals to provide
proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship card, to vote in an
Alberta provincial election?

To learn more about these topics please see the resources below:

For an explanation of Alberta's immigration programs and services, including information for people who want to move to Alberta, work in the province, or become permanent residents, visit alberta.ca/immigration

Alberta's immigration program helps skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and other eligible individuals apply to live and work in Alberta permanently. Learn more at alberta.ca/alberta-advantage-immigration-program

For a dashboard that shows information about people moving to and from Alberta and the population growth and migration trends in the province over time, visit economicdashboard.alberta.ca/dashboard/net-migration

To learn more about Canada’s immigration plans and targets, including how many newcomers Canada plans to welcome and the different immigration programs available, visit canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels.html

The Canada Health Act is a federal law that sets the rules and principles for publicly funded health care in Canada. It helps ensure that eligible residents can access medically necessary health services. Learn more at laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-6/page-1.html

The Alberta Education Act is the provincial law that guides Alberta's education system. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, school boards, and the government. Learn more at kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=E00P3.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779861347

For a resource that explains what Canadian citizenship is, who can apply for it, the steps involved in becoming a Canadian citizen, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, visit canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship.html

Learning Express is an online learning tool available through the Library. It offers practice tests, study guides, skill-building resources, and learning materials for people of different ages and learning goals. Access it with your Library card at calgarylibrary.ca/learning-express

The Elections Act is the law that sets the rules for provincial elections in Alberta. It explains who can vote, how elections are run, and the responsibilities of election officials, candidates, and political parties. For an overview, visit kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=E01.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779860197

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms outlines the rights and freedoms protected in Canada, including freedom of expression, equality rights, and democratic rights. For a guide that explains it in simple language, visit canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/how-rights-protected/guide-canadian-charter-rights-freedoms.html

Constitutional Questions

These ballot questions address topics such as immigration, access to provincially funded programs, and employment.

Questions 6 – 9 are yes / no questions. Electors will mark either “yes” or “no” on their ballots.

Official Ballot Question 6:
Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to have provincial governments, and not the federal government, select the justices appointed to provincial King’s Bench and Appeal courts?

Official Ballot Question 7:
Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to abolish the unelected federal Senate?

Official Ballot Question 8:
Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to allow provinces to opt out of federal programs that intrude on provincial jurisdiction (such as healthcare, education, and social services) without losing federal funding for use in their social programs?

Official Ballot Question 9:
Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to better protect provincial rights from federal interference by giving a province’s laws dealing with provincial or shared areas of constitutional jurisdiction priority over federal laws when the province’s laws and federal laws conflict?

To learn more about these topics please see the resources below:

The Canadian Constitution is the highest law in Canada. It explains how governments are organized, what powers they have, and the rights and freedoms that people in Canada are guaranteed. Learn about the Canadian Constitution at laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-1.html

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms outlines the rights and freedoms protected in Canada, including freedom of expression, equality rights, and democratic rights. For a guide that explains it in simple language, visit canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/how-rights-protected/guide-canadian-charter-rights-freedoms.html

The Canadian Senate is part of Canada's Parliament. For resources that explain the Senate's role in reviewing proposed laws, representing regions across Canada, and helping ensure that legislation is carefully examined before becoming law, visit canada.ca/en/campaign/independent-advisory-board-for-senate-appointments/about-the-senate.html

For information about Alberta's court system, including how judges help interpret and apply the law, hear cases, and make decisions fairly and independently, visit albertacourts.ca

Anything Troubling You?

We can help. Visit the Wellness Desk at Central or Crowfoot libraries, or online at calgarylibrary.ca/wellness

A photograph of a man sitting with a pen and notebook and talking to a woman. Wellness Desk is written over the image, and underneath is a visual of three different dots with icons inside them.

Civic and Media Literacy

Access to accurate information is central to being an active citizen in a democratic society.

Be on the lookout for:

Misinformation - false information that is shared, often inadvertently. For example, sharing a social media post that makes false claims without verifying the information.  
Disinformation - false information that is created and shared with the direct intention of misleading or manipulating the recipient of the information.  
Malinformation - false information that has some basis in fact, but has been removed from its original context, manipulated or exaggerated to be misleading.

If you’re not sure if something is factual, take a moment to check a second source or do a reverse image search to verify what you’re seeing or reading.

Check out opportunities at your local Library to learn more and practice identifying mis/disinformation.

The Value of Intellectual Freedom

Calgary Public Library is committed to the principles of intellectual freedom and to ensuring that we provide the widest possible access to information and resources, to encourage informed discussions, diverse opinions, and learning in our communities.

Learn more about the role of the Library in Intellectual Freedom