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1894 Ontario prohibition plebiscite

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A plebiscite on the legality of alcoholic beverages was held in Ontario, Canada on January 1, 1894. Per the terms of the Prohibition Plebiscite Act passed in 1893, a plebiscite was held on the issue of prohibition in conjunction with the 1894 municipal elections. Though a majority of voters indicated support for prohibition, the results were non-binding and prohibition would not occur in Ontario until 1916.

1894 Ontario prohibition plebiscite
January 1, 1894
Are you in favour of the immediate prohibition by law, of the importation, manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 192,489 63.48%
No 110,720 36.52%
Total votes 303,209 100.00%

Plebiscite question

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An Act of the Legislature specified the form of the question posed:[1]

Are you in favour of the immediate prohibition by law, of the importation, manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.[2]

Voting only occurred within the various constituted municipalities.[3] Anyone who lived in unorganized areas of the Province was unable to participate.[4]

Results

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Response # of votes polled % of votes polled[5]
Yes 192,489 63.5
No 110,720 36.5
Total 303,209 100.0

Unmarried women and widows were permitted to vote in the plebiscite, though they voted in a ballot of a different colour (blue for women, yellow for men). Though the plebiscite passed, the results were non-binding and prohibition would not occur in Ontario until 1916.[2] Provincial prohibition, though having majority support, would face another roadblock in 1896 when the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council determined that provinces do not have the authority to prohibit the importation of alcohol.[6]

Analysis

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1894 Ontario plebiscite - analysis of results by municipality[7]
Type Choice All municipalities Yes No
Male Female Total % Municipalities Male Female Total % Municipalities Male Female Total %
Counties Yes 145,504 8,736 154,240 64.75 35 137,838 8,182 146,020 66.60 3 7,666 554 8,220 43.39
No 82,578 1,382 83,960 35.25 72,049 1,187 73,236 33.40 10,529 195 10,724 56.61
Total 228,082 10,118 238,200 100.00 209,887 9,369 219,256 100.00 18,195 749 18,944 100.00
Majority 62,926 7,354 70,280 29.50 65,789 6,995 72,784 33.20 2,863 (359) 2,504 13.22
Turnout 59.55% 59.62% 58.76%
Districts Yes 5,136 209 5,345 64.10 7 5,136 209 5,345 64.10 Nil
No 2,951 42 2,993 35.90 2,951 42 2,993 35.90
Total 8,087 251 8,338 100.00 8,087 251 8,338 100.00
Majority 2,185 167 2,352 28.20 2,185 167 2,352 28.20
Turnout 45.49% 45.49%
Cities Yes 27,045 3,091 30,136 57.87 11 26,447 3,015 29,462 58.19 1 598 76 674 46.42
No 21,219 724 21,943 42.13 20,495 670 21,165 41.81 724 54 778 53.58
Total 48,264 3,815 52,079 100.00 46,942 3,685 50,627 100.00 1,322 130 1,452 100.00
Majority 5,826 2,367 8,193 15.74 5,952 2,345 8,297 16.38 126 (22) 104 7.16
Turnout 50.96% 51.15% 45.39%
Separated towns Yes 2,402 366 2,768 60.28 6 2,201 340 2,541 62.71 2 201 26 227 42.04
No 1,746 78 1,824 39.72 1,437 74 1,511 37.29 309 4 313 57.96
Total 4,148 444 4,592 100.00 3,638 414 4,052 100.00 510 30 540 100.00
Majority 656 288 944 20.56 764 266 1,030 25.42 108 (22) 86 15.92
Turnout 51.84% 51.56% 54.04%

Only three counties, one city and two separated towns voted No:

1894 Ontario plebiscite - analysis of total results[7]
Choice Group of municipalities Male Female Total %
Yes Counties 145,504 8,736 154,240  
Districts 5,136 209 5,345
Cities 27,045 3,091 30,136
Separated towns 2,402 366 2,768
Total 180,087 12,402 192,489 63.48
No Counties 82,578 1,382 83,960  
Districts 2,951 42 2,993
Cities 21,219 724 21,943
Separated towns 1,746 78 1,824
Total 108,494 2,226 110,720 36.52
Total votes 288,581 14,628 303,209 100.00
Majority 71,593 10,176 81,769 26.96
Turnout 57.26%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ The Prohibition Plebiscite Act, S.O. 1893, c. 41, Sch. A
  2. ^ a b Johnston & Sage 2007, p. 2.
  3. ^ 1891 Act, s. 4
  4. ^ 1891 Act, s. 27
  5. ^ Johnston & Sage 2007, p. 3.
  6. ^ Johnston & Sage 2007, p. 4.
  7. ^ a b "To an Order of the Legislative Assembly, dated the 27th February, 1894, for a Return from the Records of the Votes cast 'Yes' and 'No' on the question of Prohibition on the 1st January last..." Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 1894.

Bibliography

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