Many Recent USA Referendums

             Did you know that in the US at their recent October elections, voters in several states were also asked to approve or not  146 ballot initiatives? That was according to the Initiative and Referendum Institute of the University of South California, as reported in the recent Economist magazine.

         Voters in Colorado and Oregon were asked whether labels were required on foods with genetically modified ingredients. California was asked about reducing prison sentences for some non-violent crimes. Two more states voted on whether to legalize marijuana. Washington wanted to know whether there should be background checks for all gun sales. Life begins at conception was an issue in Colorado. Minimum wage questions were asked in three states.

          Some 35 of the initiatives were introduced by citizens themselves, via citizen petitions. The others were introduced by the legislatures.

         Of course, citizen initiatives are harder to muster because they do require a lot of work to get enough voters, usually 10%, to sign them. But that they do pursue the opinions of the citizens in these formal manners is surely the right thing to do in a democracy -where the principle is that the majority is supposed to rule, while the minority has the right to be heard. 

         Just why is it that only in B.C. and in the NWT can you do this in Canada, though sanctions there within each riding regarding the required petition numbers make success very difficult. Is Canada that much slower to utilize modern means for obtaining democratic decisions? Is that why we are not bothering to vote in large numbers? Most citizens have given up, knowing that their vote does not make any difference in the laws that are passed. 

         Why can we not have binding, citizen-initiated referendums in our province or even in our municipality? Get after your members. Ask them. Tell them to introduce the rules that permit such, as so many US states have done. 

Kingston Casino Referendum

       Now there was a referendum recently in Kingston, Ontario, that any municipality could well pursue. The community considered whether or not to allow a casino within its midst. At the recent municipal election was a clear and simple question for the voters:  Are you in favour of a casino being located in the city of Kingston? Yes. No.

         Despite very strong views and media efforts by the casino champions, of the 46% of the citizens who voted, 71% rejected the idea.

         According to the news article on Oct. 30, in the daily newspaper in North Bay, Ontario, this issue had been considered pro and con by the council for more than two years. Other cities, such as Brantford, were cited as places where a casino was apparently successful. Economic benefits were emphasized. The social problems of gambling, however, were argued in opposition. 

         And so, despite the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. favouring Kingston as a site, the citizens had their say. The mayor of Kingston apparently deemed the casino issue now “dead”.

         Is not that the way it ought to be, in a democracy? The majority opinion should stand, with the right of the minority to be heard. Why do we not encourage more binding referendums upon consequential issues within this province? Especially with the vast improvement in communications, and potentially  the ease of voting from home, via computers, should this  idea be pursued more.  Then citizens might feel truly involved in their community’s well-being.  And wouldn’t that be a good thing?