A referendum forum held at the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association in late September drew a packed crowd of 200 seniors, with additional attendees watching remotely. Another information session over the weekend at the Alex Community Food Centre attracted around 50 participants. A forthcoming event on Tuesday will feature a political scientist teaming up with puppies for a “Dogs for Democracy” event at the Calgary Public Library.
Numerous community-based organizations across the province are actively organizing events to help members understand the upcoming referendum. Lori Williams, a political science professor at Mount Royal University, has participated in numerous events to address the confusion surrounding the referendum questions and emphasize the importance of informed voting.
Williams recently addressed an audience at the Alex centre, providing insights into each referendum question without bias, followed by an interactive Q&A session. Community members TracyRay Lewis and Wanda Trytten expressed appreciation for the clarity gained from the session, enabling them to make informed decisions when voting.
The Chinese association, in collaboration with Fairchild Radio, hosted a forum to assist Chinese-Canadian seniors in obtaining mail-in ballots for the referendum. Kenneth Fung, the association’s executive director, highlighted the importance of informed decision-making among seniors. Becky Tsu, a volunteer with the association, emphasized the significance of voting for the benefit of future generations.
Various community groups, particularly those with immigrant members, are actively engaging in referendum-related activities. Julie Alati-it of Filipinos Rising has spearheaded informational initiatives to ensure community members have the necessary information to make informed choices when voting.
The Alberta referendum, scheduled for October 19, includes 10 questions covering topics such as immigration, the Canadian constitution, and a potential vote on independence for Alberta. Advance voting will take place from October 13 to October 17.