Ontario prohibition referendum, 1902
Encyclopedia
An Ontario prohibition referendum was held on December 4, 1902, under the Liquor Act, on the legality of alcoholic beverages and the implementation of prohibition
in the province. Though the referendum passed, a majority of half of the voters in the 1898 election
did not support the motion and prohibition was not introduced. Prohibition would not occur in Ontario until 1916.
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada
had previously ruled in 1896 that provinces do not have the authority to prohibit the importation of alcohol. Part II of the Liquor Act would authorize prohibition to the extent that Ontario would be allowed to enact, specifically a ban on the sale of alcohol in bars and retail establishment
s and the placement of restrictions on the sale of alcohol in restaurants.
Part II of the Liquor Act required a majority exceeding half of the votes in the 1898 election
to pass the legislation; this requirement was not met. The turnout rate was estimated to be no more than 30 percent of the electorate, and prohibition was not adopted.
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
in the province. Though the referendum passed, a majority of half of the voters in the 1898 election
Ontario general election, 1898
The Ontario general election, 1898 was the ninth general election held in the Province of Ontario, Canada. It was held on March 1, 1898, to elect the 94 Members of the 9th Legislative Assembly of Ontario .The Ontario Liberal Party, led by Arthur S...
did not support the motion and prohibition was not introduced. Prohibition would not occur in Ontario until 1916.
Referendum question
Are you in favour of bringing into force Part II of The Liquor Act, 1902?
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
had previously ruled in 1896 that provinces do not have the authority to prohibit the importation of alcohol. Part II of the Liquor Act would authorize prohibition to the extent that Ontario would be allowed to enact, specifically a ban on the sale of alcohol in bars and retail establishment
Retailing
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
s and the placement of restrictions on the sale of alcohol in restaurants.
Results
| Response | # of votes polled | % of votes polled |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 199,749 | 65.9 |
| No | 103,548 | 34.1 |
| Total | 303,297 | 100.0 |
Part II of the Liquor Act required a majority exceeding half of the votes in the 1898 election
Ontario general election, 1898
The Ontario general election, 1898 was the ninth general election held in the Province of Ontario, Canada. It was held on March 1, 1898, to elect the 94 Members of the 9th Legislative Assembly of Ontario .The Ontario Liberal Party, led by Arthur S...
to pass the legislation; this requirement was not met. The turnout rate was estimated to be no more than 30 percent of the electorate, and prohibition was not adopted.
See also
- Canada Temperance ActCanada Temperance ActThe Canada Temperance Act was an Act of the Parliament of Canada in 1878, which provided for an option for municipalities to opt-in by plebiscite to a prohibitionary scheme...
1878 - Ontario prohibition plebiscite, 1894Ontario prohibition plebiscite, 1894An Ontario prohibition plebiscite was held on January 1, 1894, in conjunction with municipal elections under the Prohibition Plebiscite Act, on the legality of alcoholic beverages and the implementation of prohibition...
- Ontario prohibition referendum, 1919Ontario prohibition referendum, 1919An Ontario prohibition referendum was held on October 20, 1919 , on the repeal of the prohibition of alcoholic beverages...
- Ontario prohibition referendum, 1921Ontario prohibition referendum, 1921An Ontario prohibition referendum was held on April 18, 1921 concerning a ban on the importation of alcoholic beverages into Ontario.- Referendum question :Shall the importation and the bringing of intoxicating liquors into the province be forbidden?...
- Ontario prohibition referendum, 1924Ontario prohibition referendum, 1924An Ontario prohibition referendum was held on October 23, 1924 on the repeal of the Ontario Temperance Act. The referendum was brought about by a clause in the Act, which permitted the possible repeal of prohibition by a majority vote.- Referendum question :...
- Prohibition in CanadaProhibition in CanadaThe temperance movement reached its height in Canada in the 1920s, when outside imports were cut off by provincial referendums. As legislation prohibiting consumption of alcohol was repealed, it was typically replaced with regulation restricting the sale of alcohol to minors and imposing excise...