Voters say YES to Canada in Oct. 19 referendum

The results for question 10 of the October 19 referendum are in, and three-quarters of Albertans who cast their ballots voted to remain in Canada. Results from the other nine questions are still being hand-counted, but it appears Albertans’ opinions are divided on issues related to immigration, the appointment of judges, and the appointment of federal senators. 

Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) firmly believes that democracy works best when people participate. That’s why we encouraged all eligible Albertans to participate in the referendum by voting. We didn’t tell Albertans how to vote; we simply encouraged them to head to the polling stations and mark their ballots. 

Despite the uncertainty and anxiety that swirled around the referendum, ABmunis’ 264 member communities continued to focus on the many challenges municipalities across Alberta face. Families need safe roads, reliable water and wastewater systems, housing, public safety, recreation opportunities, and community services. Communities still need infrastructure that supports economic growth, attracts investment, and helps build a strong future. 

In an October 20 interview with CBC, President Dylan Bressey said the referendum had taken up so much bandwidth over the six months and distracted from real conversations of ‘How are we building the core infrastructure and the essential services that Albertans reed?’” 

The referendum is over, but the building of a bright and prosperous future continues every day in communities across Alberta. Municipalities are getting on with what needs to be done and planning for what comes next. That means building and maintaining the infrastructure Albertans depend on, delivering local services, strengthening local democracy, and advocating for the resources communities need to support a growing province.