'Every single one of those separatists is going to vote' — Nenshi voices concern low voter turnout could help separatists

Alberta’s NDP hosted a rally in favour of voting against separation Saturday, and leader Naheed Nenshi expressed concerns for the outcome of the upcoming referendum.

The vote, which will take place Oct. 19, will ask Albertans whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada, or whether a binding referendum should be held on whether it should separate from Canada, in addition to nine other questions.

“It’s not too much to say that this is the most consequential vote of our lifetimes,” Nenshi said. “ It’s not too much to say that this is one of the most important moments of our lifetimes. And here’s the thing: none of us wanted to be here. There is no reason for us to have to be here. But here we are.”

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Nenshi called the referendum an attempt by Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP to distract from “their absolutely terrible record,” and issues such as affordability, unemployment, public health care and education.

“ We know exactly why we’re here: because the premier pandered to separatists and extremists, and she doesn’t think we’re smart enough to know what she’s doing.”

Though Smith’s office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication, Smith has previously stated she will be voting to remain in Canada, and that the referendum is to ensure all Albertans have a chance to have their voices heard on the matter, giving the government a clear path forward.

Nenshi expressed concern that, though polls have showed separatists only make up between 17 and 20 per cent, a low voter turnout could yield a disproportionately high number of those voting in favour of a separation referendum.

“ There may not be very many of them, but every single one of those separatists is going to vote,” he said. “ I’m really worried that, because the polls are so clear that the separatists are not a majority, that pro-Canada people won’t vote.

“There’s going to be massive lineups on election day, and I don’t want to end up with a result with really low voter turnout, where we don’t get a result that reflects what Albertans really believe.”

Calgary’s last municipal election yielded a 39 per cent turnout, while both Red Deer and Lethbridge’s most recent elections saw around 20 per cent turnout.

“If the polls are right, and the separatists are 17 to 20 per cent, but we only have a 30 percent return, b ad things happen,” Nenshi said. “O ur job is not just to vote, but to drag every single proud Canadian we know to vote.”

Going door to door, NDP MLAs have found that less than half of the people they speak to are aware of the referendum, and only around 10 per cent are aware of the other nine questions.