Alberta lawyer says referendum questions about immigration ‘harmful,’ ‘unnecessary’

Referendum questions concerning immigration in Alberta are being labeled "harmful, racist, and unnecessary" by a local lawyer, who argues they promote an anti-immigrant sentiment. Avnish Nanda, who co-founded the pro-immigration group "Our Alberta Advantage," expressed dismay over the questions, stating they create confusion and anger.

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As more people learn about it, they become angry over the amount of money being spent on this unnecessarily. And as they dig deeper into the questions and the ramifications, (it’s) just confusion. We don’t need this.

"As more people learn about it, they become angry over the amount of money being spent on this unnecessarily. And as they dig deeper into the questions and the ramifications, (it’s) just confusion. We don’t need this," Nanda said. He added that his organization is actively opposing the "anti-immigrant, anti-Canadian narrative that this government is peddling through this referendum initiative."

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pushing back against this anti-immigrant, anti-Canadian narrative that this government is peddling through this referendum initiative.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has defended the immigration-related questions, suggesting that "not every newcomer is a net contributor" and blaming immigrants for straining provincial resources, despite a recent slowdown in immigration numbers. The referendum ballot includes nine questions, with five focusing on immigration reform. These propose increased provincial control and the possibility of withholding social services from individuals without "Alberta-approved immigration status."

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not every newcomer is a net contributor

Experts suggest the referendum's focus may be misplaced. Brendan Boyd, an associate professor of political science at McEwen University, observed that while the government might have intended a broad debate, public attention remains fixed on other issues. "If you look at some of the polling over the last couple of months, I don’t know that any of these things are sort of top of mind for Albertans," Boyd stated. "It tends to be affordability. It tend to be concerns about health care and the economy and none of those things are really on the ballot in this referendum."

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If you look at some of the polling over the last couple of months, I don’t know that any of these things are sort of top of mind for Albertans. It tends to be affordability. It tend to be concerns about health care and the economy and none of those things are really on the ballot in this referendum.