By The Canadian Press

Alberta’s Smith blaming immigrants for her own failures: Opposition NDP

Feb 20, 2026 | 10:43 AM

EDMONTON — Alberta’s Opposition NDP says Premier Danielle Smith is stoking hatred by blaming her government’s financial “mismanagement” on newcomers.

Smith announced in a TV address Thursday night that her government is putting nine questions to a provincewide referendum on Oct. 19.

They include proposals to restrict social services from some immigrants and to open up Constitutional negotiations on abolishing the Senate and giving provinces the power to appoint superior court judges.

NDP deputy leader Rakhi Pancholi says Smith’s proposals are not top priorities for Albertans and the premier should instead call an election.

Pancholi says the referendum is a distraction from a looming budget deficit expected next week, the ongoing separatist movement and real challenges Albertans are facing like affordability and health-care access.

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Pancholi says racism and hate in Alberta has been on the rise since the United Conservative Party came to power and that she expects debate leading up to the referendum will only lead to more divisiveness.

Smith is scheduled to take questions from reporters in Calgary later Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 20, 2026.

Lisa Johnson and Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press