Elections Alberta says workers are continuing to count referendum ballots around the clock, but the agency is not providing an estimated completion time after missing the required 48-hour window. In a statement Wednesday, the agency described hand-counting the referendum’s 10 questions as a “monumental task” that more than 47,000 election workers had been unable to complete within the allotted time. “We’ll continue to count ballots until the job is done,” the Elections Alberta media team said. The agency said legislation requires counting to be completed within 48 hours for referendums with seven or more questions. Shorter timelines apply when fewer questions are on the ballot. Albertans voted Monday on whether to remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward a binding separation referendum, along with nine questions covering immigration, access to provincial services, voting requirements and constitutional changes. About three-quarters of the votes counted on the separation question favour remaining in Canada. ‘No’ now leads on four constitutional questions The results on the other nine questions have shifted as counting continues. With 97 per cent of polls reporting overall, the “no” side now leads on all four proposals to amend the Canadian Constitution. Earlier returns had “yes” ahead on eight of the nine questions, with only Question 8 leaning “no.” The four questions now leaning “no” ask whether Alberta should work with other willing provinces to pursue amendments that would: “Yes” continues to lead on the five remaining questions, which concern provincial control over immigration, eligibility for publicly funded programs, a residency requirement for social supports, fees for health care and education for non-permanent residents, and proof of citizenship to vote. The results remain unofficial, counting is incomplete and some margins are narrow. Two ridings back moving toward a separation referendum While the provincewide count strongly favours remaining in Canada, two of Alberta’s 87 electoral divisions have narrow majorities supporting Option 2 — beginning the legal process toward a binding separation referendum. In Rimbey–Rocky Mountain House–Sundre, 12,778 votes support that option, compared with 12,244 for remaining in Canada. That puts Option 2 at 51.1 per cent, with 83 of 85 voting locations reporting. Central Peace–Notley has reported results from all 60 locations. There, Option 2 leads by 100 votes — 6,515 to 6,415 — giving it 50.4 per cent of the votes counted. Several other ridings are closely divided. Support for Option 2 stands at 48.9 per cent in Grande Prairie–Wapiti, where 69 of 81 locations have reported, and 48.7 per cent in Drumheller–Stettler, where all 71 locations have reported. Taber–Warner and Drayton Valley–Devon also have all locations reporting, with Option 2 receiving 46.3 per cent and 45.3 per cent, respectively. The question was not a vote to immediately leave Canada. It asked whether the provincial government should begin the legal process required to hold a future, binding separation referendum. Premier Danielle Smith said Wednesday that people formally representing the United Conservative Party must respect the provincewide result. “When you get a very clear answer like this, you respect what Albertans have told you, and that’s what I’m going to do,” Smith said. “And I’m asking all of those who speak for our party in a formal position to do the same.” Smith said those unable to accept that position have opportunities through other political parties. It remains unclear what consequences party representatives could face if they refuse. With files from Timm Bruch and Tyson Fedor
