Opinion: Immigration questions in fall referendum a measure of who we are as Albertans

Albertans will be asked a question about potential separation from Canada in the fall referendum, but also several immigration-related questions. PHOTO BY SHAUGHN BUTTS /Postmedia Network On Oct. 19, Albertans will be invited to express their opinions through a referendum that, in a convoluted manner, asks whether Alberta should begin a process to separate from Canada. We are also being asked a series of disturbing immigration-related questions. These questions are likely unconstitutional and designed to satisfy the extremist element of the United Conservative Party (UCP). One might ask why, as a province, we are spending an estimated $150 million and requiring 60,000 employees to ask us these referendum questions, when this money could be put to much better use responding to the growing pressures in our education and health-care systems? But here we are. Referendums are a waste of time and energy, voter turnout is often poor and their results do not reflect public opinion. Very little discussion centres on the questions surrounding immigration. In fact, many Albertans are not even aware there are questions other than the separation question. It is time for Albertans to focus on the negative implications contained in the immigration inquiries As we think about who we are as Canadians and as Albertans, the message we send with our responses to the immigration questions may say more about us than anything else. We need to pay close attention to the implications of the questions. And we need to reject all of them and vote no. The referendum proposes increased provincial control over immigration, restrictions on access to services for non-permanent residents, a “head tax” discriminatory fee system for non-permanent residents, a 12-month waiting period for social supports, fees for health care and education, and citizenship verification for voting. These changes will significantly affect non-permanent residents (some 65,000 people), which includes temporary foreign workers, international students and refugee claimants. The implication seems to be that these newcomers fill our hospitals and schools and take jobs away from Albertans. To scapegoat our newcomers as the source of funding pressures in our schools and hospitals passes the buck to others over our failure to meet the demands created by our growth and prosperity. The flawed premise of these questions rests on the assumption that this group of newcomers to Alberta are taking advantage. It is…