Nunavut Territory Referendum

Presentation # 12: It is sort of amazing to realize that one of our newest legal jurisdictions in Canada, the Inuit area of Nunavut would have within it a modern form of democracy - the right to citizen referendums. Except for British Columbia (in which province there is a right to citizen initiated referendums, but the procedures are needlessly complex), and the new territories. this democratic right to the people in Canada is non-existent. Up in the remote community of Natuashish, Labrador, however, more than 300 adult residents of the town voted recently upon whether to allow to continue, a ban on alcohol there. The previous chief had 2 years earlier encouraged the passing of such ban through its council. He was then defeated in a later election.
One would have presumed that the defeat related to his encouragement of such ban. However, this was not, seemingly the case. After the new council came in it permitted a vote to occur. And, surprisingly, some 188 voted in favour of continuing it; 125 voted to get rid of the rule. The RCMP, according to the National Post commentary on the decision, said that the crime rate had decreased dramatically since the ban was first implemented.
Now, whether this ban can be enforced remains to be seen. But, it at least is an example of the ease of use of citizen referendums in to-day's age. And, its encouragement in other more southern communities should be fostered by such remote approval of the method.
The process is relatively simple, even in more complicated communities. Its usage occurs in some 24 states of the USA. Switzerland is the best example. It has been employing the system successfully for very many years, in all municipalities, cantons and within the national state itself. It still elects representatives, has political parties, just as in most other democratic countries. But, the occasional use of referendums is clearly the modern way to ensure that the principle of democracy remains a strong force. That country is a model in many ways to prove that such usage really works! And, maybe Nanavut can become such, also.