Unofficial results from Alberta's referendum leave Premier Danielle Smith without the strong mandate she sought to press Ottawa for more powers, The Globe and Mail reports. With 99% of voting areas counted by Thursday, four questions on greater provincial control of immigration were heading for narrow majorities of 52% to 55%, while four on constitutional changes, such as abolishing the federal Senate, were below 50%. A proposal requiring proof of citizenship at provincial polls had the most support, at 58%.
Smith said the mixed picture meant proceeding with caution. Voters in Edmonton rejected all nine proposals and those in Calgary backed only the citizenship question, while mid-sized cities and rural areas largely voted yes.
Elections Alberta was still hand-counting after missing its 48-hour deadline, which carries no legal penalty. About 75% of voters earlier rejected holding a second, binding secession vote.
Source: The Globe and Mail