Cost of ‘expensive’ Alberta referendum continues to rise, Nenshi says

New numbers come from a freedom of information request

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 $365,000 dollars.

The new numbers come from a freedom of information request, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said Thursday.

He said contracts show about $365,000 in fees for a televised address and promotional videos on social media platforms.

If Albertans are being asked to foot the bill for the referendum, Nenshi said the government should offer a full accounting of related spending.

Premier Danielle Smith has put 10 questions on the Oct. 19 referendum, including whether Alberta should stay in Canada or begin the process to hold a second, binding referendum to leave Confederation.

Smith has said the separation question is needed to put the issue to rest. However, opponents say most Albertans want to stay and that the premier has called the vote to use it as a political pressure valve to mollify separatists in her United Conservative Party.

"It's an expensive political game for this premier and all Albertans are paying the cost," Nenshi said Thursday.

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The province previously said it's putting up to $1.5 million for an economic analysis on the potential costs of secession.

With the other ballot proposals on immigration and constitutional reform, it was also recently reported that the government is spending more than $300,000 on a website pushing voters to endorse them, along with checking the box to remain in Canada.

In response to Nenshi on Thursday, the premier's office repeated that Smith's government, caucus and party officially support Alberta remaining in Canada.

"As a government, it is important for us to communicate with Albertans across various channels on the implications of the fall referendum questions, ensuring people have a clear understanding of how their decisions on the 10 questions will impact them," a statement said.

It added the media blitz will continue.

"We will continue to work to get a strong mandate from Albertans for more sustainable immigration policies and to pursue constitutional reforms that increase our province's sovereignty within Canada," it said.

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Elections Alberta has said the full price tag for holding the vote won't be calculated until the fall, in part because things such as the cost for voting locations are unknown.

An unprecedented recruitment campaign is already underway.

To pull off the election, the agency said it needs 60,000 workers — more than four times the roughly 13,000 needed to administer the 2023 general election.

That provincewide vote cost taxpayers $37 million.

Nenshi said this time around, expenses will further balloon because of new rules from the UCP, including a requirement to hand count ballots within 48 hours.

Nenshi said while lobbyists and consultants profit from the referendum, families are worried about the high cost of living and overcrowded emergency rooms.

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"Every single dollar spent on this referendum is a dollar that isn't being spent addressing the issues that Albertans care about every single day," he said.

Nenshi said he believes Smith is likely to move forward on her immigration and constitutional questions regardless of the results of the referendum.

Smith's government has passed motions and legislation in the house related to some of them already.

One law establishes more provincial control over immigration, and a motion has called for a constitutional amendment to give Alberta more sway in the appointment of superior court judges.

"This is all theatre," Nenshi said.

Lisa Johnson is a reporter for The Canadian Press based in Alberta.