Results of Alberta's equalization, daylight saving votes to be announced Oct. 26

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Albertans will have to wait until Oct. 26 for the results of two provincial referendums and a vote for preferred Senate candidates.

Among the three extra votes added to the ballot for Monday’s municipal elections, the referendum question on daylight saving time is the only binding vote. If Albertans opt to end the practice of changing clocks twice a year and move to permanent daylight time, which is observed in the summer, it will take effect in the fall of 2022.

When the province surveyed more than 140,000 Albertans online in 2019, 91 per cent were in favour of scrapping time changes and moving to permanent daylight time, or summer hours. However, some experts have warned the ballot question ignores a better option — going to permanent standard time — and that the switch to permanent daylight time would have negative effects on the health of Albertans.

Albertans also got to weigh in Monday on whether the principle of making equalization payments should be removed from the Constitution — a non-binding vote, since equalization payments are set by Ottawa and paid for through money collected through federal taxes. Making changes would require approval from the House of Commons, the Senate, and at least two-thirds of the provincial legislative assemblies.

The equalization program is based on the idea that provinces should have enough revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at comparable levels of taxation. Transfers are sent to provinces with lower incomes. Provinces with higher incomes — like Alberta — do not receive them.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has said the referendum vote isn’t about spurring a constitutional amendment or the end of equalization, but is meant to be used to get leverage in negotiations with Ottawa over equalization and other programs.

Albertans were also asked to choose up to three candidates among 13 Senate hopefuls on the ballot for the prime minister to consider.

The results of the Senate vote are similarly non-binding. Although Senate candidates from Alberta have been approved by previous federal governments, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has noted that the Senate appointment process, instituted in 2016, is based on merit. An independent advisory committee goes through applications and creates a short list of nominees for the prime minister and Privy Council Office to consider.

Municipalities will count the votes and have the option to release unofficial referendum and Senate election results. Edmonton’s Senate and referendum tallies will be sent to Elections Alberta, which will release official results on Oct. 26, including those reported from each municipality. Calgary, however, was set to release results on election night.

lijohnson@postmedia.com

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