1894 Ontario prohibition plebiscite

An 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. Though a majority of voters indicated support for prohibition, the results were non-binding and prohibition would not occur in Ontario until 1916.

Ontario prohibition plebiscite, 1894
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?
LocationOntario
Results
Response Votes  %
Yes 192,489 63.48%
No 110,720 36.52%
Total votes 303,209 100.00%

Plebiscite question

Are you in favour of the immediate prohibition by law of the importation, manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage?[1]

Results
Response # of votes polled % of votes polled[2]
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.[1] 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.[3]

See also

References
  1. Johnston & Sage 2007, p. 2.
  2. Johnston & Sage 2007, p. 3.
  3. Johnston & Sage 2007, p. 4.

Bibliography
  • Johnston, Larry; Sage, Rick (2007). "Referendums in Ontario: An Historical Summary" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2007. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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