Results of the 1942 National Plebiscite on "Conscription" - Statistical Material and Charts

Statistical Material and Charts

Last revised:
23 August 2000

Results of the 1942 National Plebiscite on "Conscription".

The Plebiscite Question:

"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?"

The plebiscite was held on April 27, 1942

Province	Voted Yes	Voted No
Prince Edward Island	23 568	4 869
Nova Scotia	120 763	35 840
New Brunswick	105 629	45 743
Quebec	375 650	971 925
Ontario	1 202 953	229 847
Manitoba	218 093	53 651
Saskatchewan	183 617	67 654
Alberta	186 624	75 880
British Columbia	253 844	62 033
Yukon	847	291
Total civilian vote	2 670 088	1 547 724
Military vote	251 118	60 885
Total	2 921 206	1 608 609

Source: Le Devoir, May 6, 1942

Note: All of the Electoral districts of the provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and British Columbia provided majorities for the Yes.

Three ridings of New Brunswick (Gloucester, Kent, and Restigouche-Madawaska), all from the Acadian part of the province, two ridings of French Eastern Ontario (Russell and Prescott), and the western ridings of Provencher (Manitoba) and Vegreville (Alberta), both with very substantial French populations, voted for the No side.

Fifty-six ridings of Quebec, all of them with substantial French population, voted for the No side. Nine ridings with substantial anglophone population voted Yes.