Manuel Observateur (D-6366)
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Instruments of direct democracy in Canada and Québec 3rd edition Instruments of direct democracy in Canada and Québec 3rd edition In this document, the masculine form designates both women and men. A copy of this document can be obtained from the Information Centre: By mail: Information centre Le Directeur général des élections du Québec Édifice René-Lévesque 3460, rue de La Pérade Sainte-Foy (Québec) G1X 3Y5 By telephone: Québec City area: (418) 528-0422 Toll-free: 1 888 353-2846 By fax: (418) 643-7291 By e-mail: [email protected] The Internet site of the DGE can also be consulted at: www.dgeq.qc.ca Ce document est disponible en français. The 1st edition of this study was prepared by Charlotte Perreault. The second edition was prepared by France Lavergne. Julien Côté was responsible for updating the 3rd edition. Legal deposit - 2nd quarter 2001 Bibliothèque nationale du Québec National Library of Canada ISBN 2-550-37478-9 Table of contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1 1Instruments of direct democracy ........................................................................................................ 3 1.1 Referendum and plebiscite: definitions ........................................................................................ 3 1.2 Referendums ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Popular initiatives ......................................................................................................................... 8 1.4 Recalls.......................................................................................................................................... 9 1.5 Popular vetoes ............................................................................................................................. 9 2 Referendum practices in Canada ...................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Popular initiatives ....................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Recalls........................................................................................................................................ 13 2.3 1898 Plebiscite on Prohibition ................................................................................................... 13 2.4 1942 Plebiscite ........................................................................................................................... 14 2.5 1948 referendums in Newfoundland .......................................................................................... 21 2.6 1992 Referendum....................................................................................................................... 22 3. Referendum practices in Québec 1919-1979 .................................................................................... 25 3.1 1919 Referendum....................................................................................................................... 25 3.2 Genesis of the Referendum Act .................................................................................................. 26 4. The Québec Referendum Act ............................................................................................................ 29 4.1 Pre-referendum period ............................................................................................................... 29 4.1.1 Nature and purpose of referendum .............................................................................. 29 4.1.2 Formation of provisional and national committees....................................................... 30 4.1.3 Conseil du référendum ................................................................................................. 30 4.2 Referendum period..................................................................................................................... 31 4.2.1 Referendum campaign ................................................................................................. 31 4.2.2 Lists of electors............................................................................................................ 31 4.2.3 Financing and regulated expenses................................................................................ 32 4.2.4 Information .................................................................................................................. 33 4.2.5 Referendum ballots ...................................................................................................... 33 4.3 Post-referendum period ............................................................................................................. 33 4.3.1 Results ......................................................................................................................... 33 4.3.2 Reports on regulated expenses .................................................................................... 34 4.3.3 Contestation ................................................................................................................. 34 4.4 Amendments to the Referendum Act.......................................................................................... 34 5. Referendum practices in Québec: 1980-1995 ................................................................................... 35 5.1 1980 Referendum....................................................................................................................... 35 5.1.1 Pre-referendum period ................................................................................................. 35 5.1.1.1 Formation of provisional and national committees....................................................... 37 5.1.1.2 Conseil du référendum ................................................................................................. 37 5.1.2 Referendum period ...................................................................................................... 37 5.1.2.1 Lists of electors............................................................................................................ 38 5.1.2.2 Financing and spending of national committees .......................................................... 38 5.1.2.3 Information .................................................................................................................. 38 5.1.2.4 Referendum ballots ...................................................................................................... 39 5.1.3 Post-referendum period ............................................................................................... 39 5.1.3.1 Results ......................................................................................................................... 39 5.1.3.2 Reports on regulated expenses .................................................................................... 40 5.1.3.3 Legal proceedings and complaints ............................................................................... 40 5.2 1992 Referendum....................................................................................................................... 41 5.2.1 Pre-referendum period ................................................................................................. 41 5.2.1.1 Formation of national committees ................................................................................ 42 5.2.1.2 Conseil du référendum ................................................................................................. 42 5.2.2 Referendum period ...................................................................................................... 43 5.2.2.1 Lists of electors............................................................................................................ 43 5.2.2.2 Financing and spending of national committees .......................................................... 43 5.2.2.3 Information .................................................................................................................. 44 5.2.2.4 Referendum ballots ...................................................................................................... 44 5.2.3 Post-referendum period ............................................................................................... 45 5.2.3.1 Results ......................................................................................................................... 45 5.2.3.2 Reports on regulated expenses .................................................................................... 45 5.2.3.3 Legal action and complaints......................................................................................... 46 5.3 1995 Referendum....................................................................................................................... 47 5.3.1 Pre-referendum period ................................................................................................. 48 5.3.1.1 Formation of the provisional/national committees ....................................................... 49 5.3.1.2 Conseil du référendum ................................................................................................. 50 5.3.2 Referendum period .....................................................................................................