1942 Canadian conscription plebiscite

A plebiscite on conscription was held in Canada on 27 April 1942.[1] It was held in response to the Conservative Party lobbying Mackenzie King to introduce compulsory overseas military service, the government having previously promised not to introduce same in 1940.[2] The result was 66% voting in favour,[2] with Quebec being the only province to have a majority voting against. Quebec's strong majority against the commitment's release prompted Mackenzie King not to pursue the issue until later events prompted a change in position.

Canadian conscription plebiscite, 1942

April 27, 1942 (1942-04-27)

Are you in favour of releasing the Government from any obligations arising out of any past commitments restricting the methods of raising men for military service?

Location

All 9 provinces, and 1 of the 2 territories of Canada

Results

Response	Votes	%
Yes	2,945,514	65.62%
No	1,543,006	34.38%
Valid votes	4,488,520	96.76%
Invalid or blank votes	150,327	3.24%
Total votes	4,638,847	100.00%
Registered voters/turnout	6,502,234	71.34%

Results by jurisdiction

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Results

Are you in favour of releasing the Government from any obligations arising out of any past commitments restricting the methods of raising men for military service?

Choice	Votes	%
For	2,945,514	65.63
Against	1,543,006	34.37
Invalid/blank votes	50,327	–
Total	4,638,847	100
Registered voters/turnout	6,502,234	71.34
Source: Nohlen

By province


Canadian conscription plebiscite, 1942
Jurisdiction	Yes		No
Jurisdiction	Votes	%	Votes	%
Alberta	186,624	71.1	75,880	28.9
British Columbia	253,844	80.4	62,033	19.6
Manitoba	218,093	80.3	53,651	19.7
New Brunswick	105,629	69.8	45,743	30.2
Nova Scotia	120,763	77.1	35,840	22.1
Ontario	1,202,953	84.0	229,847	16.0
Prince Edward Island	23,568	82.9	4,869	17.1
Quebec	375,650	27.9	971,925	72.1
Saskatchewan	183,617	73.1	67,654	26.9
Yukon	847	74.4	291	25.6
Total civilian vote	2,670,088	63.3	1,547,724	36.7
Military vote	251,118	80.5	60,885	19.5
Canada	2,921,206	64.5	1,608,609	35.5

The referendum was held in all 245 electoral districts, which covered all nine provinces and one of the two territories. Residents in the Northwest Territories did not have a vote, as their area was not organized as an electoral district.

References

Nohlen, D (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p127 ISBN 978-0-19-928357-6
Nohlen, p130

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