Alta. premier tells anyone interested in PST to ‘get some signatures’

The Canadian dollar coin, the loonie, is displayed on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Albertans could be asked about adding a provincial sales tax (PST) this fall, but it’s up to citizens to determine if that will happen.

The premier was asked about the possibility of adding a PST during a media availability in Lethbridge on Monday, a move believed could add billions in revenue to Alberta’s budget.

Smith said her government wouldn’t be moving ahead with any sort of initiative itself, but if Albertans want one, there is a mechanism to gather support for the idea.

“Anyone who proposes a provincial sales tax and says, ‘Why don’t you just put it on a referendum?,’ I say to them, ‘Why not start a citizen initiative?’” Smith said.

“If you think your fellow citizens are so keen to have a vote on this issue, we have a process for that.”

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Prior to the release of Budget 2026, Smith announced there would be a referendum in Alberta in October.

She says there is still enough time for any citizen-initiated petition to gather the required number signatures needed to include a question about PST at the same time.

“I would say that all of the voices who are asking for it, then maybe they should put their boots where their mouth is and go out and get some signatures if they’re so intent on it.”

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While it is a mechanism for Albertans to spark policy change, citizen-initiated petitions have also been used to recall UCP MLAs.

As of Tuesday morning, Elections Alberta indicates 10 were unsuccessful, two were declared invalid and two were withdrawn by organizers.

Twelve others, including one for Smith, are still collecting signatures.

Smith said she knew Albertans had a lot of concern with government policies, particularly when the notwithstanding clause was used to end the teachers’ strike in October 2025.

“It is the right of citizens to be able to gather and tell us that they disagree with that,” she said.

“What I take from the results I’ve seen so far is that there was initial concern, but I think people are relieved to have kids back in class. I think teachers are relieved to be teaching again.”

Smith said she hopes the results of the petitions illustrate that the government listened and is “moving in the right direction” even though many disagreed.