The Alberta government has initiated a $4 million advertising campaign to present its stance on the ten questions in the upcoming October 19 referendum. The directive is for voters to select the Yes option for the first nine questions, which involve topics such as immigration and constitutional modifications, as stated by Sam Blackett, the media relations director for Premier Danielle Smith. In regard to the question concerning separation, Blackett did not disclose the campaign’s preferred option.
Option 1 signifies a voter’s approval for Alberta to remain a province in Canada, while Option 2 advocates for the provincial government to initiate the legal process for conducting a binding referendum on separation. The campaign emphasizes endorsing a “strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada” for question 10.
The advertising efforts will encompass various platforms including TV, radio, social media, print media, billboards, and a booklet dispatched to every household in the province. Blackett emphasized the importance of engaging with Albertans through multiple channels to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how their choices on the referendum questions will impact them.
Despite the government’s intentions, the campaign faced criticism from the Opposition NDP. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi condemned the use of public funds to promote the government’s stance on the questions, labeling it as unethical and lacking impartiality. Critics, including Tanya Clemons from Let Alberta Decide, raised concerns over the government’s decision to advocate for a position before allowing citizens to express their views.
Campaign strategist Hayden Place acknowledged some potential benefits of the campaign, particularly in dispelling misinformation and articulating the costs associated with Alberta’s potential separation. Place highlighted the importance of targeting individuals who are undecided or uninformed about the referendum questions for effective communication.
