February 20, 2026
RED FM News Desk
Alberta’s Opposition NDP is criticizing Danielle Smith, accusing the premier of unfairly targeting newcomers and attempting to shift attention away from her government’s fiscal challenges.
In a televised address Thursday evening, Smith announced plans for a provincewide referendum on Oct. 19 featuring nine questions. Among them are proposals to limit access to certain social services for some immigrants and to initiate constitutional talks aimed at abolishing the Senate and granting provinces the authority to appoint superior court judges.
Rakhi Pancholi, deputy leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party, said the premier is fuelling division by blaming newcomers for problems she argues stem from government mismanagement.
Pancholi contends the referendum questions do not reflect the most urgent concerns of Albertans. Instead, she says Smith should call a provincial election and focus on pressing matters such as rising living costs and access to health care.
She also described the referendum as a diversion from an anticipated budget deficit expected to be revealed next week, as well as ongoing separatist tensions within the province. According to the NDP, Albertans are more concerned about affordability and strengthening public services than constitutional reform debates.
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