EDMONTON, Alberta — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is standing firm on her proposal to give the province more control over immigration policies, even as critics have drawn heated comparisons to Nazi tactics, prompting sharp rebukes from Smith and calls for apologies.
The controversy erupted ahead of the October 19 provincial ballot, where Albertans will vote on a question asking whether non-citizens and non-permanent residents who are in the province temporarily should contribute financially to the costs of health care and education for themselves and their families. Smith, leader of the United Conservative Party, has framed the measure as a response to widespread concerns about Canada's federal immigration policies under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which she says have led to overburdened public services in Alberta.
"Alberta should take more control over immigration," Smith told reporters on Monday, emphasizing that she heard the message "loud and clear" from constituents. The ballot initiative comes amid a national backlash against high immigration levels, with Alberta seeking to address what Smith describes as strains on resources without restricting overall inflows.
Opposition to the proposal has been fierce, particularly from figures in the New Democratic Party (NDP). Thomas Lukaszuk, a former deputy premier under Alison Redford and a key organizer of an anti-independence petition, took to social media to criticize Smith, likening her approach to how Adolf Hitler scapegoated Jews to rally support. "Populist governments need a scapegoat," Lukaszuk wrote, implying that immigrants were serving that role for Smith.
Lukaszuk's comments were echoed by former NDP Premier Rachel Notley, who adapted a famous Holocaust poem to portray immigrants, school teachers, and transgender individuals as victims under Smith's policies. Notley has not publicly walked back the reference, and some progressive voices have defended the rhetoric as a valid critique of what they see as divisive politics.
Smith condemned the comparisons as "gross and disgusting," particularly for their impact on Alberta's Jewish community. Speaking in Edmonton on Monday, she said, "If you’re going to invoke Nazis and the Holocaust you better be talking about real Nazis and the real Holocaust." She specifically urged Lukaszuk to reflect on the reaction from the Edmonton Jewish community and called for an apology, adding, "He should apologize and stop using that language."
In an interview with the Calgary Herald, Smith described the Nazi analogies as "infantile" and emblematic of "playground kind of politics." She argued that such tactics undermine serious debate, stating, "It is not a hallmark of serious people or a serious discussion. If you can’t have a serious discussion then you really don’t have much of a voice in the conversation." Smith also dismissed NDP claims about the ballot as "hysterical," accusing opponents of routinely trying to "scare people."
Lukaszuk, however, showed no signs of retracting his statements. Over the weekend and into Monday, he doubled down, expressing satisfaction that Smith was offended and hoping it would prompt her to "reflect." He maintained that his point about scapegoating in populist politics was valid, without directly addressing the Holocaust invocation.
The exchange highlights deepening political divides in Alberta, where Smith's United Conservative government has pushed for greater provincial autonomy on issues like immigration and resource management. The October 19 ballot also includes a potential referendum on Alberta independence, contingent on sufficient public support for the question's inclusion. Organizers like Lukaszuk, who played a role in past anti-separatist efforts during Redford's tenure, are mobilizing against any sovereignty push.
Background on Smith's immigration stance traces back to ongoing frustrations with federal policies. Under Trudeau, Canada saw record immigration numbers, with over one million newcomers annually in recent years, leading to debates about housing shortages and service strains in provinces like Alberta. Smith has positioned her ballot question as a targeted fix, not a broad restriction, aimed at ensuring temporary residents—such as international students and workers—cover some costs rather than relying solely on provincial taxpayers.
Critics, including Notley, argue the measure could stigmatize newcomers and exacerbate divisions. Notley's adapted poem, which reimagined Holocaust victims to include modern marginalized groups, drew applause from some NDP supporters who view Smith's policies as exclusionary. "They claim to be inclusive but their Alberta doesn’t include about half the population of the province," Smith countered in her Herald interview, accusing progressives of intolerance masked as defense of truth.
Notably, the controversy has not drawn widespread condemnation from establishment conservatives, many of whom harbor reservations about Smith. During the last provincial election, Smith herself faced backlash for comparing vaccinated Albertans to Germans who followed Hitler, a remark she later apologized for, which did not derail her victory. Notley at the time called that comparison "utterly horrifying," a stance she has maintained.
As the ballot date approaches, polls suggest Smith is not facing the expected backlash. Recent surveys indicate support for her immigration reforms, bucking predictions of political crucifixion. This resilience has fueled frustration among opponents, who see the Nazi slurs as a desperate bid to sway public opinion.
Beyond the rhetoric, the debate underscores broader tensions in Canadian federalism. Alberta's push for immigration control aligns with similar efforts in other provinces, like Saskatchewan and British Columbia, which have sought more say in selecting economic migrants. Federal officials have not yet commented on Alberta's ballot, but any affirmative vote could lead to negotiations with Ottawa.
Looking ahead, the outcome of the October 19 vote could reshape Alberta's relationship with the federal government. If approved, it might embolden further provincial assertions of power, potentially straining national unity. Smith has vowed to continue advocating for Albertans' voices, while opponents like Lukaszuk and Notley prepare to intensify their campaigns against what they call fear-mongering policies. For now, the Nazi comparisons linger as a flashpoint, with Smith insisting on respectful discourse and critics unyielding in their opposition.
The Edmonton Jewish community, referenced by Smith, has not issued a formal statement, but local leaders have historically been sensitive to Holocaust trivialization. As Alberta heads into the vote, the focus remains on balancing economic needs with social cohesion, amid a polarized political landscape.