Results from a new survey show that a majority of Albertans oppose holding the Alberta government’s 10-question referendum.
The poll, commissioned by the Alberta Federation of Labour and conducted by Abacus Data, found that frustration and anger were the most common emotions surrounding the vote. Fifty-six per cent of respondents said Alberta should not hold a referendum at all, compared with 30 per cent who supported holding one. The results provided did not identify the remaining respondents’ views.
According to the poll, among respondents who support the United Conservative Party, 44 per cent said the referendum should not be happening.
Frustration was the most commonly reported emotion, cited by 43 per cent of respondents, followed by anger at 31 per cent. Twenty per cent said they felt hopeful, 12 per cent were excited and six per cent were happy.
Among respondents who said they were angry or frustrated, 52 per cent placed the greatest blame on Premier Danielle Smith for calling the referendum, while 26 per cent blamed separatist groups.
The poll also found that 44 per cent of Albertans believe the UCP government should have sought a mandate from voters during an election campaign before proceeding with a referendum. Thirty-two per cent said they had no problem with the government’s approach, while 24 per cent had no opinion.
Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said the findings reflect what he has been hearing from workers across the province.
“Other than the separatists within Danielle Smith’s own party, this is a referendum that no one asked for and no one wants,” McGowan said. “The fact that it’s happening, at all, shows that the Smith government is disconnected from the majority of Albertans who they are supposed to represent.”
The survey also found widespread concern about potential foreign interference in the referendum, with the United States emerging as the primary source of concern.
Six in 10 Albertans said they were very or somewhat concerned about outside interference, according to the poll. The results indicated that these concerns were shared by UCP and NDP supporters.
Among respondents concerned about foreign interference, 74 per cent identified the U.S. government as a source of concern, while 46 per cent cited so-called dark-money groups funded by American billionaires. Russia and China were cited by 35 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively.
About half of Albertans surveyed said they believed the United States was likely to try to make Alberta the 51st state following the referendum.
Similarly, 49 per cent said they believed members of the UCP government might be under the influence of foreign actors.
McGowan said holding Smith and the UCP accountable for what he described as an unnecessary, expensive, divisive and dangerous referendum would be a central message at upcoming labour-organized events.
The survey’s release comes ahead of the provincewide Day of Protest on Oct. 17 and the Unity Rally at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton on Oct. 18.
Early voting for the provincial referendum will take place until Oct. 17, with referendum day on Oct. 19.
