Canada's Experience With Referendums

It is significant that on both occasions, Quebec and English Canada voted on opposite sides. The conscription issue, in particular, divided the "two solitudes," while the outcome of the vote confirmed and even exacerbated the division.

The latest national referendum, held on 26 October 1992, dealt with a number of proposed constitutional amendments commonly referred to as the Charlottetown Accord. The Accord was defeated in all but four provinces.(39) The Accord was defeated in both Quebec and English Canada, but for different reasons in each case. Many Quebeckers voted no because they thought the Accord offered them too little, many English Canadians voted no because they thought Quebec was offered too much.(40) Thus far, national referendums in Canada have only served to confirm that there is, and perhaps always will be, a wide divergence of views on many subjects between Quebec and English Canada.

It has been suggested that the use of referendums would serve to strengthen Canadian identity because it would lead to Canadians' greater interaction with, participation in, and responsibility for the type of nation they desire. Opponents of referendums might argue the opposite. Certainly, the use of referendums in Canada in the past may have done more to exacerbate the differences in our society than enhance Canadian identity; moreover, it has provided governments with a convenient mechanism for backing out of commitments while shifting responsibility to the electorate.(57)

Referendums necessarily result in a forced decision, rather than one based on consensus. Further, referendums are based on an unrealistic assumption that there is a simple yes or no answer to complex questions, and set up confrontation between their supporters and opponents

Referendums do not allow for defining the best way of dealing with a problem or for continuing discussion on alternative solutions or methods of reaching a compromise.(60)

Referendums