Smith's push for more immigration powers increases Alberta's negotiating leverage with Ottawa

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has outlined proposals for an October referendum that would expand provincial control over immigration and limit some provincially funded services for temporary residents; experts say the move is intended to strengthen Alberta's bargaining position with the federal government, including over funding for asylum seekers.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a package of immigration proposals she plans to put to a provincial referendum in October. The proposals would seek greater provincial control over immigration, prioritize economic migration, and limit access to provincially funded health care, education and social services to citizens, permanent residents and people with an Alberta-approved immigration status. The plan would also ask whether temporary residents should wait 12 months to qualify for provincially funded social supports and whether they should contribute toward health and education costs. Experts quoted in the article said the referendum is as much about increasing Alberta's negotiating power with Ottawa — including over funding for asylum seekers — as it is about changing policy. Key details: - The referendum is scheduled for October and would ask Albertans about increased provincial control and service restrictions for some temporary residents. - The proposals include a 12-month waiting period for temporary residents to access provincially funded social supports and possible required payments toward health care and education. - Premier Smith compared the plan to Quebec's 1991 immigration accord, which gives Quebec broader authority over economic migrants. - Legal experts noted that immigration is a shared federal-provincial responsibility under the Constitution and that the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act allows agreements that do not limit federal admissibility powers. - The article cites IRCC figures quoted by Smith showing asylum claims in Alberta rising from 1,995 in 2021 to 10,050 in 2024 and 7,125 through November 2025, and notes that asylum claims nationally fell by slightly more than a third in 2025 compared with 2024. - A federal spokesperson highlighted recent federal actions to control immigration flows and said a parliamentary bill to tighten asylum rules is under consideration. Summary: The provincial proposals position Alberta to press Ottawa on control and funding related to immigration, with experts describing the referendum as part of a negotiation strategy. Next steps include the planned October referendum and ongoing federal parliamentary consideration of changes to asylum rules.