Elections Alberta says it is preparing 10 ballot questions, 45 million printed ballots and at least 60,000 workers for the October 19 vote. Those plans deserve scrutiny. So does University of Alberta political science professor Jared Wesley’s suggestion that holding a referendum amounts to “binging” on democracy.

 

Instagram / drjaredwesley (right)

University of Alberta political science professor Jared Wesley shared a graphic asking what Alberta could buy for $134 million instead of holding the October 19 referendum. He compared spending on direct democracy to wasting money on smoking or drinking.

Using the Alberta government’s April 2026 population estimate of 5,057,077 people, the graphic’s $134 million figure works out to about $26.50 per Albertan, including children.

That calculation puts the headline number in perspective. It does not make the expense trivial, and $134 million remains an estimate rather than a final audited cost.

Elections Alberta says it is preparing 10 ballot questions, 45 million printed ballots and at least 60,000 workers for the October 19 vote. Those plans deserve scrutiny. So does Wesley’s suggestion that holding a referendum amounts to “binging” on democracy.

As Peter McCaffrey observed in response to Wesley, cancelling general elections would also free up money to buy other things. That is no reason to cancel them.

The useful debate is whether this vote is worth its estimated $26.50 per resident. Wesley’s shopping list cannot decide that for Albertans.