Local voters and others in the province will be asked to make decisions on something other than who they want to see governing them at the municipal level during the October 18th election.  

Today (August 11) Elections Alberta received the Orders in Council to conduct a Referendum Vote during the 2021 Alberta Municipal Elections and Alberta Senate Election.

Along with marking their X for who they wish to vote for, Alberta will be asked to answer "yes" or "no" to these questions:

  • Should section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 – Parliament and the government of Canada’s commitment to the principle of making equalization payments – be removed from the constitution?
  • Do you want Alberta to adopt year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is summer hours, eliminating the need to change our clocks twice a year?

According to the provincial government, approval of the referendum on daylight saving time will be legally binding as it is a non-constitutional question.  The question regarding equalization payments is more controversial since equalization is both a constitutional and a federal matter.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney believes the equalization program is unfair since Alberta has been a huge net contributor to the payments but is now experiencing economic hard times.

The province earlier pledged $10 million to assist municipalities with the costs of the referendum.   

Political scientists in Alberta have said the vote on daylight saving time would be a waste of everyone's time and the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association are afraid referendums distract from more pressing municipal issues during an election.  

The official announcement of the results of both referendum votes will be made public October 26th.