Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced plans for a fall referendum to limit new arrivals of international students, temporary foreign workers, and asylum seekers. The move seeks to wrest control of immigration policy from Ottawa, which currently holds primary authority over such matters in Canada.

Smith cited Alberta's rapid population growth as a key factor in the decision. The province's population surpassed 5 million in 2025, with over 600,000 new residents added in five years. She blamed this influx for straining classrooms, emergency rooms, and social support systems, while also contributing to a projected provincial budget deficit.

The referendum comes amid broader Canadian immigration policy shifts. Prime Minister Mark Carney has been working to improve relations with western provinces, including Alberta, where separatism sentiments have simmered. While other provinces have also experienced population growth from immigration, Alberta faces unique pressures from both international arrivals and interprovincial migration.

Smith said Albertans identified international immigration as a top concern during recent town hall panels. The referendum would seek a mandate to restrict provincially funded programs to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those with "Alberta approved immigration status." This represents a significant challenge to federal authority and could strain national unity at a sensitive time.