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?
LocationAll 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

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 %
For2,945,51465.63
Against1,543,00634.37
Invalid/blank votes50,327
Total4,638,847100
Registered voters/turnout6,502,23471.34
Source: Nohlen

By province

 
Canadian conscription plebiscite, 1942
Jurisdiction Yes No
Votes%Votes%
Alberta186,62471.175,88028.9
British Columbia253,84480.462,03319.6
Manitoba218,09380.353,65119.7
New Brunswick105,62969.845,74330.2
Nova Scotia120,76377.135,84022.1
Ontario1,202,95384.0229,84716.0
Prince Edward Island23,56882.94,86917.1
Quebec375,65027.9971,92572.1
Saskatchewan183,61773.167,65426.9
Yukon84774.429125.6
Total civilian vote2,670,08863.31,547,72436.7
Military vote251,11880.560,88519.5
Canada2,921,20664.51,608,60935.5

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

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