Immigration remains contentious in Alberta following referendum
The Alberta referendum results last week have been celebrated across Canada as a victory for national unity over separatism. With more than three-quarters of voters rejecting a move towards independence, the outcome has also been hailed as a political victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney.
But beneath the headlines lies a less reassuring result for Alberta's immigrants.
Unofficial returns showed the Yes side leading on eight of the nine other referendum questions, including all five concerning immigration and access to public services.
The votes could strengthen Premier Danielle Smith's as she seeks greater provincial control over immigration and restrictions on services for temporary residents.
For Alhan Arsal, a temporary resident from Bangladesh who is pursuing a master’s degree in international relations at the University of Calgary, the results were disappointing although the rejection of separation came as no surprise.
"I can hardly make ends meet as a student," he said. "Paying more for less health care would put many people off from coming here as students in the future."
Arsal said the results of the referendum "make me uneasy and solidify my conviction to leave the province after graduation."
New Canadian Media previously reported on growing unease among Alberta’s immigrants over the referendum and its anti-immigration rhetoric.
Mixed reactions
Dozie Anyaegbunam is a Calgary-based marketing professional and managing editor of The Newcomers. The online publication and podcast explore immigrant experiences in Canada.
Anyaegbunam said the results were "not that surprising, but nonetheless sad to see."
He said he had hoped the No side would prevail, particularly given how temporary residents — who account for less than 10 per cent of Alberta’s population — had been singled out during the referendum campaign.
"We have a lot of work to do about immigrants and their value to the system in every way," he said, describing newcomers as having been used as a "lightning rod" during the referendum campaign.
Imtiaz bin Hafiz, a lawyer who moved to Alberta from Bangladesh in November 2022 and took his citizenship oath on Oct. 21, said he was also unsurprised by the referendum outcome.
"I expected that a large portion of the people would be in favour of the immigration proposals," he said.
However, he pointed to the narrow margins. With roughly 52 to 55 per cent supporting several of the immigration proposals in the preliminary count, Alberta appeared deeply divided.
"In any case, the majority was in favour of the immigration proposals which will, in my opinion, legitimize these sentiments over immigration in the province," Hafiz said.
For Avnish Nanda, an Edmonton lawyer and co-founder of Our Alberta Advantage, a nonpartisan campaign opposing the referendum’s immigration proposals, the margins also raise questions about the strength of Smith's mandate.
He said the premier had sought overwhelming support for her reforms, while her government spent heavily promoting the referendum.
The province budgeted approximately $4 million for an advertising campaign that included television, radio, online advertising and a booklet mailed to every Alberta household. The government was also permitted to campaign for its preferred outcomes using public funds.
Still, the immigration questions passed by comparatively narrow margins.
"Given that the Alberta government outspent our campaign by 40 to one ... I think she lost," Nanda said.
"The No side may not have prevailed on the immigration questions by a few percentage points, but we went into Monday thinking we would be blown out, and we weren't."
Rhiannon Hoyle, Alberta NDP shadow minister for jobs, economy and trade, acknowledged that the Yes votes reflected genuine concerns about affordability, employment, health care and public services.
"Those concerns are real and deserve solutions," Hoyle said. "But let's be clear: immigrants didn't create Alberta's affordability crisis, and blaming newcomers won't fix it."
Hoyle, who is herself an immigrant, said the government must take responsibility for adequately funding and planning public services.
What happens next?
Anyaegbunam expects immigration to remain politically contentious.
"I don't think we're done with these sentiments," he said. "We'll probably see it used again in the coming election season, given how many people voted Yes on the immigration questions."
However, the referendum questions are non-binding, leaving the government to determine how to proceed.
Nanda fears Premier Smith will intensify her immigration agenda, further dividing the province.
"I think we're going to be deeply polarized around this issue, that's for sure."
Hoyle cautioned against interpreting the results as unconditional approval for the government's plans.
"A referendum is not a blank cheque for Danielle Smith to bypass the Constitution or pursue policies that could harm Albertans," she said.
"The government must explain what is legally achievable, what it will cost taxpayers and what the consequences will be for families, workers and businesses."
Manpreet Tiwana, vice-president of the Alberta Liberal Party and an immigrant, also emphasized the limits of provincial authority.
"Alberta has a role to play, but significant aspects of immigration remain under federal jurisdiction, so any proposed changes will require careful consideration and cooperation between both levels of government," Tiwana said.
Hoyle warned that additional financial barriers could discourage the temporary workers and skilled immigrants that Alberta's economy needs.
"Making it harder for them and their families to access essential services could drive away the very talent Alberta needs," she said.
Hafiz was reluctant to predict how lasting the referendum's influence would be.
"A lot of essential services are provided by immigrants,” he said. “Most people in business realize the importance of immigrants in the economy.
Copyright 2026, New Canadian Media. All rights reserved.
Mubin S. Khan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, New Canadian Media.
Here's how prices of Halloween candy at Bulk Barn compare to Costco, Walmart and Loblaws
Some of the price differences are more than $10!
You can get Halloween candy at grocery stores like Costco, Walmart and Loblaws now, but you might not know you can get the same mini treats at Bulk Barn all year.
Whether you're buying candy and chocolate for yourself or getting snacks for a Halloween party, the prices of these items can decide where you shop.
Narcity went shopping to find out whether Halloween packs at grocery stores like Costco, Walmart and Loblaws are cheaper than choosing your own amounts at Bulk Barn.
We found similar chocolate, candy and chips at each store, including a few Kirkland Signature items at Costco, and checked prices.
Since you choose your own quantities at Bulk Barn, every product is priced by 100 grams. So, Narcity also broke down the price tags at Costco, Walmart and Loblaws into "price per" costs.
Here's a price comparison of the Halloween candy, chocolate and chips you can get at these retailers.
KitKat, Aero and Smarties
KitKat and Aero at Bulk Barn. Centre: Smarties at Bulk Barn. Right: Coffee Crisp, KitKat, Aero and Smarties at Walmart.
It costs $3.83 per 100 grams for mini KitKat, $2.36 per 100 grams for mini Aero and $2.80 per 100 grams for Smarties at Bulk Barn.
It costs $15.97 for a 977-gram box of treat-sized KitKat, Aero, Coffee Crisp and Smarties at Walmart, which is $1.63 per 100 grams.
It costs $24 for a 977-gram box of treat-sized KitKat, Aero, Coffee Crisp and Smarties at Loblaws, which breaks down to $2.45 per 100 grams.
If you buy 300 grams of each chocolate at Bulk Barn so it's similar to the quantities at Walmart and Loblaws, the cost is more than $26, and there are no mini Coffee Crisp bars.
That's a price difference of more than $10 compared to Walmart and $2 compared to Loblaws.
Reese's Pieces, peanut butter cups and Thins
Reese's Pieces at Bulk Barn. Centre: Reese's mini peanut butter cups at Bulk Barn. Right: Reese's Pieces, Reese's peanut butter cups and Reese's Thins at Loblaws.
Bulk Barn has Reese's Pieces for $3.02 per 100 grams, Reese's mini peanut butter cups for $2.89 per 100 grams and Reese's Thins for $3.44 per 100 grams.
Loblaws has a 909-gram bag of Reese's Pieces, Reese's peanut butter cups and Reese's Thins for $20, which works out to $2.20 per 100 grams.
If you get 300 grams of each Reese's chocolate at Bulk Barn to match the quantity of the Loblaws product, it costs just over $28. That means you pay $8 less at Loblaws.
Assorted candies
Gummy bears at Bulk Barn. Centre: Rockets at Bulk Barn. Right: Kirkland Signature Funhouse Treats candy at Costco.
Costco has a bag of Kirkland Signature Funhouse Treats with Chupa Chups, Rockets, Dare Realfruit, Dare Realfruit Sours, Skittles, Starburst, Haribo Bears and Airheads.
Bulk Barn has gummy bears, Rockets and Skittles.
It costs $1.57 per 100 grams for gummy bears, $2.26 per 100 grams for Rockets, and $3.22 per 100 grams for Skittles.
A two-kilogram bag of the Kirkland Signature assorted candies costs $24.99, which works out to $1.24 per 100 grams.
The assorted bag at Costco gets you more types of candy, and the total "price per" cost is less than each individual "price per" cost at Bulk Barn.
Twix, Snickers and peanut M&M's
Twix and Snickers at Bulk Barn. Centre: Peanut M&M's at Bulk Barn. Right: Mars, Twix, Snickers and peanut M&M's at Costco.
You can get peanut M&M's for $2.14 per 100 grams, mini Snickers for $3.90 per 100 grams and mini Twix for $3.90 per 100 grams at Bulk Barn.
It costs $23.99 for a 1.48-kilogram box of mini peanut M&M's, Snickers and Twix bars at Costco, which works out to $1.62 per 100 grams.
At Walmart, it costs $14.97 for a one-kilogram box of mini peanut M&M's, Snickers and Twix bars, which breaks down to $1.49 per 100 grams.
If you get 500 grams of each chocolate at Bulk Barn to match the quantity of the box at Costco, it costs more than $49, and there are no mini Mars bars. You pay $25 less for the Costco product.
If you buy 300 grams of the chocolates at Bulk Barn to get the same amount as the box at Walmart, it costs over $29. That's a price difference of more than $14.
Jolly Rancher gummies and licorice
Jolly Rancher gummies at Bulk Barn. Centre: Cherry licorice at Bulk Barn. Right: Jolly Rancher gummies and Twizzlers at Loblaws.
At Bulk Barn, it costs $2.05 per 100 grams for Jolly Rancher two-in-one gummies and $1.99 per 100 grams for cherry licorice.
It costs $20 for a 1.02-kilogram bag of Jolly Rancher two-in-one gummies, cherry Twizzlers and strawberry Twizzlers at Loblaws, which breaks down to $1.96 per 100 grams.
A 1.02-kilogram bag of Jolly Rancher two-in-one gummies, cherry Twizzlers and strawberry Twizzlers costs $12.97 at Walmart, which is $1.27 per 100 grams.
If you get 500 grams of both candies at Bulk Barn to match the quantity of the bags at Loblaws and Walmart, it costs just over $20.
So, the bag at Loblaws is only cheaper by a few cents, but the bag at Walmart is cheaper by more than $7.
Cheese puffs
Cheese puffs at Bulk Barn. Centre: Cheetos puffs at Walmart. Right: Cheetos puffs at Loblaws.
It costs $1.69 per 100 grams for cheese puff sticks at Bulk Barn.
It costs $12.97 for a 640-gram box with 40 snack-sized bags at Walmart, which works out to $2.02 per 100 grams.
It costs $12.99 for a 640-gram box with 40 snack-sized bags at Loblaws, which breaks down to $2.02 per 100 grams.
The "price per" cost for cheese puffs at Bulk Barn is lower than at Walmart and Loblaws, so you can get the same amount for less at the Canadian bulk retailer.
Assorted chocolates
Peanut butter cups at Bulk Barn. Centre: M&M's at Bulk Barn. Right: Kirkland Signature Treatsize Favourites chocolates at Costco.
Kirkland Signature Treatsize Favourites chocolates come with mini Reese's peanut butter cups, Oh Henry, M&M's, peanut M&M's, Snickers, Twix, and Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme.
Bulk Barn has peanut butter cups, M&M's, peanut M&M's, mini Snickers, and mini Twix.
It costs $3.22 per 100 grams for peanut butter cups, $2.14 per 100 grams for M&M's, $2.14 per 100 grams for peanut M&M's, $3.90 per 100 grams for Snickers and $3.90 per 100 grams for Twix.
A two-kilogram bag of the Kirkland Signature assorted chocolates costs $29.99, which means you pay $1.49 per 100 grams.
The assorted bag at Costco gets you more chocolate, and the total "price per" cost is less than each of the individual "price per" costs at Bulk Barn.
Lotto Max winning numbers for Friday, October 23 are out and there's a $20 million jackpot
MaxPlus prizes are also up for grabs.
The Lotto Max winning numbers for October 23 have been revealed.
A $20 million jackpot is available in this Lotto Max draw, along with MaxPlus prizes worth $100,000 each.
You can check your tickets now to see if you're a winner of the jackpot, a MaxPlus prize, other cash prizes or a free play.
Here's what you need to know about the winning numbers, the jackpot, and more.
What are the Lotto Max winning numbers for Friday, October 23?
The Lotto Max winning numbers for October 23 are 8, 21, 23, 28, 30, 39 and 47, with 17 as the bonus number.
There is no winner of the $20 million in this draw.
None of the MaxPlus prizes worth $100,000 have been won either. But other cash prizes between $20 and $97,000 have been won across Canada, along with free plays.
So, the next Lotto Max draw on October 27 will offer a $25 million jackpot.
What were the Lotto Max winning numbers for Tuesday, October 20?
The Lotto Max winning numbers for October 20 were 8, 15, 19, 23, 26, 28 and 34. The bonus number was 38.
The Maxmillions winning numbers were:
- 1, 2, 23, 24, 27, 39 and 52
- 1, 6, 28, 32, 39, 43 and 47
- 1, 9, 24, 28, 32, 41 and 42
- 2, 13, 17, 21, 41, 45 and 52
- 2, 14, 15, 20, 21, 36 and 40
- 3, 4, 11, 16, 18, 19 and 51
- 3, 26, 28, 36, 42, 45 and 51
- 4, 9, 22, 28, 35, 38 and 51
- 5, 8, 10, 13, 39, 46 and 50
- 5, 11, 13, 33, 44, 48 and 52
- 7, 28, 31, 36, 47, 48 and 51
- 8, 9, 25, 27, 34, 44 and 47
- 8, 9, 31, 36, 39, 46 and 50
- 10, 21, 26, 31, 32, 37 and 48
- 12, 13, 19, 30, 31, 40 and 50
- 13, 17, 29, 31, 40, 45 and 51
- 13, 18, 25, 26, 29, 32 and 51
- 15, 16, 17, 32, 35, 42 and 44
- 20, 23, 28, 30, 42, 47 and 48
- 28, 30, 31, 38, 40, 41 and 52
The $90 million jackpot in Tuesday's draw was won with a ticket sold in Alberta.
Seven of the Maxmillions were won, including two $1 million prizes split by multiple winners. The winning tickets were sold across the country, with two in B.C., one in the Prairies, three in Ontario (Toronto, Brant County and online through OLG), three in Quebec and one in the Atlantic provinces.
With MaxPlus, there were six winning tickets in B.C., seven in the Prairies, 18 in Ontario, nine in Quebec and two in the Atlantic provinces.
How do you play Lotto Max?
Lotto Max draws happen on Tuesdays and Fridays in Canada.
You now get four sets of numbers for every $6 play that you buy, and each set has seven numbers from 1 to 52.
Here's what matching numbers could win you:
- 7/7 — jackpot
- 6/7 plus bonus — approximately 18.50% of the prize pool
- 6/7 — approximately 18.85% of the prize pool
- 5/7 plus bonus — approximately 12.25% of the prize pool
- 5/7 — approximately 27.50% of the prize pool
- 4/7 plus bonus — approximately 22.90% of the prize pool
- 4/7 — $20
- 3/7 plus bonus — $20
- 3/7 — free play ($6 value)
The jackpot starts at $10 million and can go up to $90 million.
Once the jackpot reaches $50 million, there are also Maxmillions available to be won, which are additional $1 million prizes.
All three sets of numbers you get with a $5 play are eligible for both the main draw and the Maxmillions draw when the jackpot reaches $50 million.
You need to match all seven numbers on one line of your ticket to win a Maxmillions prize.
There are also new $100,000 cash prizes with every draw. The number of MaxPlus prizes available to be won increases with the jackpot.
Tickets are sold until 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Fridays, which is when the Lotto Max winning numbers are drawn.

Les vraies différences: savoir si tu as trouvé le bon ou si ça va se finir bientôt
Trouver le bon en 2018, ça semble un vrai cauchemar. L'apogée des apps et des sites de dating aurait dû rendre les rencontres plus faciles... mais il semble que c'est le contraire qui est arrivé.
Si tu es célibataire et que tu dates activement, c'est assez facile de te tromper et croire que tu as enfin trouvé le bon. Finalement, l'histoire se termine de façon super moche, tu as le coeur brisé et tu penses que tu rencontreras jamais personne.
À lire aussi: Les « presque relations », ça finit juste bien dans les films
Puis tu rencontres quelqu'un d'autre: le cercle vicieux se répète... C'est vraiment épuisant de s'embarquer émotionnellement à chaque fois et tu finis par croire que c'est toi le problème. Mais non, c'est simplement parce que tu as pas rencontré le bon pour toi.
C'est quoi la vraie différence entre une histoire qui va fonctionner et passer des mois à fréquenter quelqu'un sans aboutir à une vraie relation de couple? Pour t'aider à identifier ta situation actuelle, voici toutes les étapes élaborées dans les 2 cas.
Ces scénarios devraient t'aider à reconnaître si le fit est parfait et qu'il y a de bonnes chances que ça dure pour un long moment.
La rencontre avec le bon
La rencontre avec le futur homme (ou femme) de la vie n'est vraiment pas comme dans les films. Que tu l'aies rencontré sur Bumble ou que ce soit l'ami d'un ami, tu n'es pas certain à 100% au début. Tu es intéressé, mais sans plus. La peur ne s'empare pas nécessairement de toi et tu go with the flow.
Après un certain temps, tu deviens agréablement surpris! Souvent, la bonne personne, c'est celle qui correspond aux critères que tu t'es fixés quand tu sais exactement ce que tu recherches. Ce n'est pas nécessairement un coup de foudre, mais tu trouves la personne cute...et après quelques dates, tu capotes tellement ça clique.
Quand tu rencontres le bon, une place dans ta vie se crée naturellement et tu finis par voir la personne à un rythme assez rapide au début. Les dates s'enchaînent pendant la semaine et vous trouvez des petits moments pour vous voir lorsque le temps manque. Si c'est la folie, vous vous voyez au moins la nuit.
La rencontre avec une personne qui restera une fréquentation
La rencontre avec quelqu'un qui ne sera que passager dans ta vie est assez différente. Encore une fois, le lieu de rencontre importe peu. Ça peut être via une app, ou bien tout simplement en personne. Au début, tu tripes fort! Tu ne connais même pas encore la personne et tu t'imagines déjà avoir un chalet et partir à NYC en weekend d'amoureux. Tu trouves l'autre juste trop beau/belle, tu ris souvent et les papillons sont intenses. Souvent, la passion se consomme assez vite et c'est vraiment bon au lit! Rapidement, tu penses que tu as trouvé la personne parfaite. Physiquement, tu es au paradis et puisque tu as du fun, tu crois que ça clique vraiment. Tu as même peur que ça se finisse trop vite.
La seule chose qui manque à votre relation après la rencontre c'est du temps. Vos vies sont tellement occupées que vous arrivez seulement à vous voir une fois par semaine. Rapidement, une petite routine s'installe et tu sais que les dimanches (ou une autre journée), c'est votre moment à vous. Parfois, tu réussis à le/la voir un jeudi ou vendredi soir tard après vos soirées arrosées entre amis et c'est vraiment trippant.
Les premiers mois avec le bon
Après quelques dates, vous passez à l'acte au lit. C'est souvent un flop les premières fois. Il y a une petite gêne et puisque tu apprécies vraiment l'autre tu veux lui faire plaisir... mais c'est souvent difficile quand tu ne le connais pas assez. Ce qui est le fun par contre, c'est que le malaise est tellement ridicule qu'il devient cute. Après quelques mois, vous êtes généralement super confortables et la vie sexuelle va bien!
Lorsque l'étape de la sexualité est franchie, on arrive souvent à la déclaration d'amour. Il n'y a pas de bon moment pour dire «Je t'aime» quand ça fonctionne vraiment: ça arrive tout simplement. Ça peut être après 2-3 semaines ou bien après plusieurs mois; ça dépend de l'importance que vous accordez à cette phrase. Certaines personnes sont à l'aise de le dire rapidement, tandis que d'autres préfèrent que le moment soit ultra spécial.
La conversation de l'exclusivité est aucunement nécessaire, car ça va simplement de soi. C'est souvent la conversation pour officialiser le couple qui arrive en premier, et qui confirme que vous ne voyez personne d'autre tous les deux.
Les premiers mois avec une personne qui restera une fréquentation
Vous aimez beaucoup votre routine et vous avez vraiment du fun ensemble! Vous agissez comme un couple et vous êtes tellement bien. Tu ne veux pas texter l'autre trop souvent pour ne pas déranger, mais c'est tellement le fun de recevoir des nouvelles! Vous vous envoyez souvent des photos sexy et tu as toujours hâte à votre prochain moment ensemble.
Après 3 mois, la conversation de l'exclusivité n'a toujours pas eu lieu. Tu n'as pas vraiment vu d'autres personnes, mais en même temps, tu ne t'es pas empêché de rester ouverte à d'autres options puisque tu es encore célibataire. Tu n'es comme pas trop certaine de comment ouvrir la discussion sur un possible couple donc tu attends, parce que l'important c'est que tu sois bien.
Tu commences aussi à penser être vraiment en amour avec la personne! Ça va tellement bien. Vous n'avez pas vraiment eu de chicane encore, et outre le fait que les choses ne sont pas trop claires entre vous, tout va super bien. Tu te dis que tu vas attendre et qu'éventuellement vous allez devenir un couple.
Le moment où tu sais que tu as trouvé le bon
Naturel: le mot qui décrit votre relation. Tu rencontres sa famille assez rapidement puisque vous passez beaucoup de temps ensemble, ça arrive tout simplement. Vous avez plusieurs points en commun et les conversations autant que les activités à 2 sont agréables. Bien sûr, vous avez des malentendus parfois, car personne n'est compatible à 100%, mais vous vous aimez assez pour en discuter et trouver un point d'entente.
À un certain moment, tu sais que tu veux partager ta vie avec cette personne pour toujours. Vous êtes bien ensemble et ce n'est pas forcé. Vous avez gardé votre propre identité et savez tous les deux que vous êtes là l'un pour l'autre. Vous vous appuyez dans vos différents projets et êtes tellement contents de vous être trouvés.
Au fond de toi, tu sais que tu vis quelque chose de spécial. Tu sais que tu serais capable de vivre sans cette personne, mais cette vie à deux fait juste beaucoup plus de sens. Aussi occupé qu'il soit, votre horaire fonctionne et vous réussissez à passer des moments de qualité le plus souvent possible.
La cohabitation est une étape aussi naturelle que votre amour et les choses fonctionnent juste bien, sans être parfaites. Vous faites des compromis pour éviter les conflits et non des sacrifices.
Le moment où tu réalises que c'est fini
Après plusieurs mois, vous n'êtes toujours pas en couple et plusieurs choses sont encore bien nébuleuses. Tu penses régulièrement que c'est fini, puis finalement il/elle te texte et vous allongez les choses. La fréquence de vos moments ensemble d'augmente pas vraiment avec le temps.
Il se peut qu'à un certain moment, vous commenciez à vous voir plus souvent et que vous agissiez vraiment comme un vrai couple, mais cette période s'essouffle assez vite. Après quelques semaines, tu te demandes ce qui s'est passé et pourquoi vous vous voyez moins souvent. La personne semble encore super intéressée et vous êtes encore très bien, mais sans plus. Dès les débuts, tu te posais des questions et le hamster tourne toujours dans ta tête parce que tu n'es pas certain que c'est la bonne personne.
Il y a des choses qui te gossent, et bien que tu pourrais passer par dessus, il s'agirait de sacrifices et non de compromis. Vous êtes deux personnes qui s'apprécient énormément et qui ont développé une belle relation affectueuse, mais c'est de l'attachement plus qu'autre chose. Au fond de toi, tu le sais que ça ne marchera pas, mais ça fait vraiment trop mal de penser que ça pourrait se finir.
Souvent, tu étires la relation pour ne pas rester seule, ou bien tu te convaincs que c'est le bon en acceptant de renoncer à plusieurs choses dans le futur. Généralement, les choses se finissent assez naturellement quand l'un des deux rencontre quelqu'un avec qui le fit est meilleur. Oui, il y a une période de peine d'amour après coup, puisque tu t'ennuies. Après quelques mois, tu es toutefois capable de comprendre pourquoi ça n'a pas marché, et tu es bien content de ne pas t'être embarqué dans quelque chose de trop sérieux.