Contrary to popular myth, Canada has a rich tradition of referendums on issues: giving women the right to vote, daylight savings time, liquor prohibition, military conscription, public health insurance, balanced budget legislation, and constitutional change to name a few.

There have been over 60 referendums at the federal and provincial levels since 1878, plus hundreds of municipal referendums in cities and towns across Canada

National referendums were held on liquor prohibition (1898), mandatory military conscription (1942), and constitutional changes proposed in the Charlottetown Accord (1992).

In a 1916 referendum, men in British Columbia voted 68% in favour of giving women the right to vote. British Columbians have also voted on daylight savings time (1952 and 1972), public health insurance (1948), and laws to prohibit or regulate the sale of alcohol (1909, 1916, 1924 and 1952). In a referendum held at the same time as the 1991 provincial election, over 80% of British Columbians voted in favour of having legislation to enable citizens' initiative as well as the recall of MLAs.

Saskatchewan voters have had their say in referendums on direct democracy legislation (1913), the prohibition of liquor and the regulation of its sale (1916, 1920, 1924, and 1934), and choice of local time zones (1956). In a referendum held in conjunction with the 1991 provincial election, voters expressed their views on balanced budget legislation, government funding of hospital abortions, and legislation requiring that constitutional amendments be ratified by referendum.

Manitobans voted on liquor-related issues (1892, 1902, 1916, 1923 (twice), and 1927) and the marketing of coarse grains (1952).

Ontarians voted on the prohibition of liquor and the regulation of its sale in 1894, 1902, 1919 and 1921.

Quebecers voted on prohibiting beer and wine in 1919, and on sovereignty in 1980 and 1995. In 1987 the residents of northern Quebec voted on the constitutional future of northern Quebec.

In the Northwest Territories, a referendum was held in May of 1992 on the location of a new boundary line, and in November of that year the residents of the eastern Arctic voted to create Nunavut.

Newfoundlanders voted to join Canada in 1948. The residents of Prince Edward Island voted for a fixed-link crossing to the mainland in 1988. Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and Newfoundland have also held numerous referendums on prohibiting liquor and regulating its sale.

Here in Alberta, our history of referendums includes votes on the prohibition of alcohol and the regulation of its sale (1915, 1920, 1923, and 1957). In 1948, Albertans voted 50.03% against a proposal to create a publicly owned utility for the generation and distribution of electricity. Albertans voted 51% against switching to daylight savings time in 1967, and 61% in favour in 1971.

When Alberta's Legislature reconvenes this fall, MLAs will have an opportunity to build on Canada's and Alberta's tradition of citizens having a direct say on issues. The Citizens' Initiative Act will give Albertans the right to propose legislation on an issue of their choice, and have it voted on in a province-wide referendum. By voting in favour of the Citizens' Initiative Act, MLAs will enhance our heritage of direct democracy.