Teachers encouraged to vote in Alberta’s referendum

Albertans will head to the polls on Oct. 19 to vote on 10 referendum questions dealing with immigration, public services, Canada’s constitution and Alberta’s place in Canada.

With 10 separate ballots to consider, this will not be a typical trip to the polls. Teachers who want to make sure their voices are heard should plan ahead, and voting by mail may be the simplest option.

Consider voting by mail or at advance polls

Applications are now open for Elections Alberta’s Vote by Mail program, also known as a Special Ballot. Any eligible Alberta elector can apply, and no reason is required.
Voting by mail allows voters to receive all 10 referendum ballots at home, consider the questions and complete them on their own time.

Elections Alberta began mailing Special Ballot packages on Sept. 1. Each package includes the voting materials and a prepaid return envelope.

Applications for a Special Ballot, available at https://specialballot.elections.ab.ca, must be received by Sept. 25. Completed ballot packages must be received by Elections Alberta before 5 p.m. on Oct. 16, so voters should apply and return their ballots well ahead of the deadlines.

Voting by mail may also help voters avoid potential waits at voting locations. With 10 questions, Elections Alberta is preparing for a much larger and more complex voting process than a typical provincial election.

Albertans who prefer to vote in person can do so during advance voting from Oct. 13 to 17 or on referendum day, Oct. 19.

Why this referendum matters to teachers

Several of the questions have implications for public education, with two dealing directly with access to public services, including education. 

Albertans will be asked whether access to provincially funded services should be restricted based on immigration status and whether people with nonpermanent immigration status should pay a fee or premium to use Alberta’s public education and health care systems.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has raised concerns about proposals that could restrict a child’s access to public education. The ATA has also said teachers and other school staff should not be put in the position of determining or policing a child’s immigration status.

“Children do not choose their immigration status, and they should not be denied an education because of it,” said Jason Schilling, ATA president, “Every child in Alberta deserves access to publicly funded education.”

Other referendum questions, such as one about allowing provinces to opt out of federal programs in areas such as education while retaining federal funding, could have broader implications for public services and the relationship between provincial and federal governments.

As teachers have a stake in decisions affecting Alberta’s students, schools, communities and public education system, members are encouraged to learn about the issues, consider the questions carefully and make a plan to cast their ballots. Information on the referendum and its questions is available at www.elections.ab.ca/elections/referendum/.