Canada's Alberta to Hold Referendum on New Restrictions for Immigrants.

The article discusses Alberta's upcoming referendum on immigration policies, scheduled for October 19, as the province faces economic challenges due to falling crude prices and a budget shortfall. Premier Danielle Smith announced that the referendum will ask voters if they support measures to restrict access to public services for newcomers without citizenship or permanent residency, including a 12-month residency requirement and proof of citizenship for voting. The province, which has experienced rapid population growth, is also dealing with a right-wing populist movement advocating for greater autonomy and potential independence from Canada. Smith's government is under pressure to address a projected deficit exceeding C$10 billion while maintaining social services and pursuing economic growth through initiatives like the Heritage Fund. [Extracted from the article]