Alberta referendum rallies make final push as advance voting wraps up

With Alberta’s referendum just two days away, supporters on both sides of the debate took to the streets on the last day of advance voting to make their case to voters, but strong winds have disrupted some of the campaigning. 

The Alberta Federation of Labour originally organized 15 rallies across the province Saturday, but cancelled its Okotoks event last-minute due to heavy winds. An independence rally organized by Let Alberta Decide — slated to start at 3 p.m. outside the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton — has been delayed due to the weather. The event is still expected to continue later this afternoon.

The AFL’s Calgary rally managed to wrap up before the weather turned, with hundreds of supporters gathering outside city hall to campaign for Canadian unity, as well as protest the United Conservative Party and Premier Danielle Smith.

Led by AFL President Gil McGowan and secretary-treasurer Cori Longo, protesters moved through downtown towards McDougall Centre, chanting phrases such as “who decides? We decide” and “whose streets? Our streets.”

“I came all the way down to Calgary to show my support for fighting back,” said Barbara Bodugel, a Rocky Mountain House resident. 

Bodugel came dressed with her grievances on her sleeve. She wore what she called the “cape of corruption,” which was made out of UCP advertisements and mailers. She also carried a small puppet of Smith, which Bodugel said was serving “fascist pancakes.”

She said she supports Alberta staying in Canada, but that she attended Saturday’s rally to ensure the province remained for future generations.

“Many of the decisions will directly affect my children and my grandchildren. This is not the direction I want my province to go in,” she said. “We are a kind, accepting, welcoming province, and I am married to an immigrant, and I do not want a province that does not welcome people.”

Also in attendance was Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, alongside NDP MLAs Janet Eremenko of Calgary-Currie, Julie Hayter of Calgary-Edgemont and Court Ellingson of Calgary-Foothills. As Nenshi addressed the crowd, he emphasized the work is not over yet.

“Our job is to get every single person we’ve ever met out to vote,” Nenshi said. “We need to make sure everyone goes into their polls. Votes yes to Canada, Option 1. No to the noxious nine. No to the divisive nine. And yes for a better Alberta.”

Piikani Nation Chief Troy (Bossman) Knowlton also spoke at the event, where he emphasized treaty rights pre-date the creation of Alberta. He argued while Indigenous communities have had a difficult history with the federal government, staying in Canada is the only option that protects Indigenous rights.

“It’s the devil you know and the devil you don’t know. The devil we do know has challenged us all the way to the Supreme Court, but we’ve been victorious,” he said. 

While campaigners rallied, Albertans were also making their final trips to advance polling stations before they close Saturday night.

Elections Alberta figures show 703,824 people cast their ballots over the first four days of advance voting. The busiest day so far was Wednesday, when 186,742 Albertans cast their votes, while Friday saw 19 voting locations staying open later due to long lineups. 

Postmedia staff noted a lack of lines at several polls Saturday morning, including Central Library, Grace Presbyterian Church and Hillhurst United Church.  

According to Elections Alberta, 516,000 special ballots had been processed as of Saturday morning, with all special ballots received by deadline opened and ready to be processed. 

For those who have yet to vote, Monday is the final opportunity to cast a ballot. Elections Alberta is encouraging voters to head to the polls early in the day if they are able.

Election day is Monday, with voting places open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Every voter is assigned an election-day voting location based on their place of residence. Voters can find their assigned location through Elections Alberta’s Where to Vote tool.

To vote in the referendum, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old and ordinarily a resident in Alberta.

A person’s ordinary residence is typically the place where they live, sleep and intend to return to when they are away.

Voters need to prove their identity and address before receiving a ballot.

Elections Alberta accepts multiple forms of identification, including government-issued identification and documents such as utility bills, bank statements and residential leases.

Voters who do not have the required identification may be able to have another eligible elector attest to their identity and address.