‘The most critical election of our lifetimes’: NDP leader urges Albertans to vote in upcoming referendum during Red Deer visit

‘The most critical election of our lifetimes’: NDP leader urges Albertans to vote in upcoming referendum during Red Deer visit

Published 11:15 am Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi did not mince words when speaking on the importance of the upcoming provincial referendum.

“It’s the most critical election of our lifetimes,” Nenshi said during a Vote for Canada rally at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in Red Deer on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Alberta’s NDP has knocked on about 500,000 doors across Alberta over the past couple months to discuss the Oct. 19 referendum.

“What we’ve learned is there aren’t a lot of undecided people on this referendum. There’s a small number of people locked in for separatism and there’s a very large number of people locked in for Canada. But there is what we call a motivation gap,” said Nenshi.

“We know the separatists are motivated. Every one of them will vote. They’ll crawl over broken glass to vote. We’re worried that the pro-Canada votes will see a five-hour lineup on election day and say, ‘Oh well, we’ve got this in the bag. We don’t have to vote.’ We really have to avoid that.”

Nenshi said 30-40 per cent of people they spoke with through the door-knocking campaign didn’t know there was a referendum. Additionally, 80-90 per cent didn’t know about the other nine questions on the ballot.

“Those nine questions are confusing, they’re dangerous and I’m really concerned that a lot of voters will be seeing them for the first time when they go to the polls,” said Nenshi.

“Those other nine questions … are an evil plot. They’re separatism in slow motion. They’re a way for (Premier) Danielle Smith to keep Albertans angry all the time.”

Nenshi recommended people should vote ‘No’ on all nine of those additional questions.

During the rally, Nenshi said anyone who has received a mail-in ballot to submit it as soon as possible. He also encouraged people who didn’t receive a mail-in ballot to consider voting at the advance polls. People voting on election day should be prepared for a wait in line, he added.

“Just remember that, as long as you’re in line by 8 p.m. (on election day), you get to vote,” said Nenshi.

He also encourages Albertans to help others make a voting plan.

“If you have seniors in your life or busy young families that you know, help them figure out when and where to vote. Offer to babysit their kids or walk the dog so people have the opportunity to vote. It’s really crucial that we get the largest turnout possible,” said Nenshi.

About 150 people attended the mini rally in Red Deer. This event was part of a series of rallies throughout Alberta leading up to the referendum.

“The rallies are an opportunity for people wanting to get involved in the pro-Canada movement,” said Nenshi.

“We want to get people who have been active or want to be active in the referendum campaign, and give them a chance to understand what we need to do.”