CUPE Alberta calls for an election, says Smith’s referendum is a dangerous distraction from government’s mismanagement of public services

This section is Partnership Content suppliedThe content in this section is supplied by Business Wire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire Article contentEDMONTON, AB — CUPE Alberta is condemning Premier Danielle Smith’s announcement of an anti-immigrant referendum that seeks permission for her government to make it harder for Albertans to vote.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle content“She should get back to work and focus on the issues that actually matter to Albertans,” said CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal. “Albertans are facing actual crises in health care, in our classrooms, with the cost of living, and with jobs. Instead of taking accountability and fixing any of the problems her own government has created over the last six years, the Premier is trying to shift blame and divide our province.”Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentSmith has proposed introducing stricter voter identification rules, despite public data showing only seven instances of voter fraud in Alberta since 2013. CUPE Alberta says the move is a clear attempt to undermine confidence in elections, suppress voter participation, and create distrust of immigrants.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article content“Voter fraud is not an issue in Alberta. Full stop,” Uppal said. “You can’t change the rules of democracy to solve a problem that you’ve made up.”Article contentCUPE National President Mark Hancock warned against the dangers of continuing to import American-style disinformation tactics into our country. “We don’t need to copy the worst parts of U.S. politics,” Hancock said. “Manufactured culture wars, anti-immigrant fearmongering, and violent oppression tear communities apart, just as we see south of the border. Our members and our communities deserve better.”Article contentCUPE also strongly denounced the anti-immigrant tone of the proposed referendum questions.Article content“Immigrants are our co-workers, our neighbours, and essential members of our communities,” said Candace Rennick, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer. “They work in our hospitals, our schools, our municipalities, and our social services. They are the backbone of our economy. Scapegoating newcomers will not fix overcrowded classrooms or emergency room wait times. Properly funding public services will.”Article contentCUPE Alberta is calling for a provincial election so voters can have a direct and meaningful say in the direction of the province.Article content“If the Premier is so confident in her proposal, she should call an election,” Uppal said. “Albertans deserve the opportunity to vote on the future of public health care, public education, and the kind of province we want to live in, not be dragged into a convoluted, racist referendum designed to distract from government failure.”Article content:clc/cope 491Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentView source version on businesswire.com: Article content https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260220451918/en/Article contentArticle contentContactsArticle contentErin Rolfson, Communications Representative 587-982-0418 | erolfson@cupe.ca#distroArticle contentTrending Posthaste: U.S. tariffs against Canada keep falling, but is that just the quiet before the CUSMA storm? News What you need to know about filing to the CRA this year as tax season looms Personal Finance Subscriber only. Email blunder exposes US$90 billion Russian oil smuggling ring Subscriber only Financial Times The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariffs. Will companies get their money back?

Economy Garry Marr: Home Buyers' Plan was invitation to disaster for young Canadians who bought at market peak First-Time Homebuyers Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Posthaste: U.S. tariffs against Canada keep falling, but is that just the quiet before the CUSMA storm? News What you need to know about filing to the CRA this year as tax season looms Personal Finance Subscriber only. Email blunder exposes US$90 billion Russian oil smuggling ring Subscriber only Financial Times The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariffs. Will companies get their money back?

Economy Garry Marr: Home Buyers' Plan was invitation to disaster for young Canadians who bought at market peak First-Time Homebuyers