Equalization, daylight saving, and senators all to be on fall referendum ballot

CALGARY – Albertans now know what they’ll be voting on in a referendum scheduled for this fall.

Premier Jason Kenney confirmed Thursday morning that Albertans will be voting on equalization payments on Oct. 18.

WATCH: Kenney, ministers unveil fall referenda items

And while Albertans will be able to have their say, there’s no guarantee that a majority “yes” vote will change anything.

Kenney said the vote won’t necessarily force change, but it could “elevate Alberta’s fight for fairness to the top of the national agenda.”

Referendum Question 1: Should the principle of making equalization payments be removed from the Constitution?

He also announced that there will be a second question on the ballot in a few months on the topic of daylight saving time.

In 2019, Service Alberta asked Albertans if they thought we should shift away from changing our clocks twice a year.

Referendum Question 2: Should Alberta end the practice of changing our clocks twice a year?

The province says more than 141,000 Albertans responded and 91 per cent were in favour of year-round summer hours.

“I think it’s fair to say, following the survey, many Albertans hope for an immediate change to the way we observe time,” said Minister of Service Alberta Nate Glubish.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1415724104963948544

“As always, it’s clear that Albertans are passionate about this, and a change on to be taken lightly. How Albertans calculate time affects literally everyone in this province, as well as others beyond our borders.”

Glubish did, however, mention that there has been some concern over making a move to permanent summer hours, specifically from sports leagues and other industries that need some form of standardized time across the board.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1415730878576164864

On top of electing new city councillors and mayors in the Oct. 18 vote, Albertans will also be asked to elect three nominees to the senate.

What Albertans won’t be asked on Oct. 18

The potential creation of an Alberta pension plan will not be on the ballot.

Also missing will be any question on creating a provincial police force.

The province says both of those topics need to be investigated further before putting an official question to Albertans in a referendum.

Finance Minister Travis Toews says the province has selected Morneau Shepell to conduct a cost and benefit analysis of a provincial pension plan.

Toews says the findings will be shared when that work is completed and after that, there could be a possible referendum.