Alberta’s Opposition says the cost of just getting the word out on the province’s looming separation referendum is setting taxpayers back at least a third of a million dollars. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says the new numbers come from a freedom of information request. He says contracts show about $365,000 in fees for a televised address and promotional videos on social media platforms. Nenshi says Albertans are being asked to pay up for what he calls political theatre by Premier Danielle Smith. Smith has called for Albertans to vote on Oct. 19 on whether Alberta should stay in Canada or begin the process to hold a second, binding referendum to leave Confederation. Smith says the vote is needed to put the issue to rest, but opponents say the majority of Albertans want to stay, and that Smith has called the vote as a political pressure valve to mollify separatists in her United Conservative Party. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2026. The Canadian Press
