1919 Ontario prohibition referendum

1919 Ontario prohibition referendum
October 20, 1919
Repeal of Ontario Temperance Act
Yes
 
 32.4%
No
 
 67.6%
Sale of light beer through government agencies
Yes
 
 35.2%
No
 
 64.8%
Sale of light beer at hotels
Yes
 
 33.8%
No
 
 66.2%
Sale of liquor through government agencies
Yes
 
 39.3%
No
 
 60.7%

A referendum was held in Ontario, Canada on October 20, 1919 (in conjunction with the 15th provincial election) on the legality of alcoholic beverages and the maintaining of prohibition. Prohibition had been passed by the provincial government in 1916 under the Ontario Temperance Act, though a clause required a referendum to be held in 1919 on whether the Act should be repealed and the previous licensing laws subsequently revived.[1] A subsequent Act in 1919 provided three further questions for consideration, and subsequent implementation on approval.[2] A majority voted against all four questions, and prohibition was maintained.[3]

  1. ^ The Ontario Temperance Act, S.O. 1916, c. 50, s. 147
  2. ^ The Temperance Referendum Act, 1919, S.O. 1919, c. 61
  3. ^ Johnston & Sage 2007, p. 8.