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Forcing Choice: The Risky Reward of Referendums
The Hill Times: Best Books of 2017
What happens when crucial public issues are decided the people themselves?
Canadians answered “Yes” or “No” to prohibiting alcohol, conscripting soldiers, and revamping our constitution. Forcing such crucial choices at the ballot box is high-stakes democracy, both here and overseas — as witnessed with Britain’s transformative 2016 “Brexit” referendum.
Forcing Choice dissects Canada’s extensive use of ballot questions at all levels of government, and weighs the benefits of citizens making fundamental decisions for the nation. Holding referendums is tricky, and getting it wrong carries a high price.
This hard-hitting book draws on Boyer’s deep research on direct democracy and his experience advising governments about referendums, writing books, drafting and introducing the Canada Referendum Act, monitoring foreign referendums, and campaigning in Canadian ones.
What happens when crucial public issues are decided the people themselves?
Canadians answered “Yes” or “No” to prohibiting alcohol, conscripting soldiers, and revamping our constitution. Forcing such crucial choices at the ballot box is high-stakes democracy, both here and overseas — as witnessed with Britain’s transformative 2016 “Brexit” referendum.
Forcing Choice dissects Canada’s extensive use of ballot questions at all levels of government, and weighs the benefits of citizens making fundamental decisions for the nation. Holding referendums is tricky, and getting it wrong carries a high price.
This hard-hitting book draws on Boyer’s deep research on direct democracy and his experience advising governments about referendums, writing books, drafting and introducing the Canada Referendum Act, monitoring foreign referendums, and campaigning in Canadian ones.
384 pages, ebook
Published August 26, 2017
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
J. Patrick Boyer
34 books4 followersJ. Patrick Boyer is a constitutional lawyer, political science professor, veteran of the House of Commons, journalist, and author of some twenty books on Canadian history, law, politics, and governance. He also frequently comments on Canadian public affairs for various media outlets. Patrick lives in Muskoka and Toronto.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 17, 2025
As Canada prepares for some turbulent times south of the border, it would be remiss not to talk about some of the political fallout within our own borders as well. An election is sure to occur by October 2025 and I wanted to do a little Election Prep for Canada, as I have done for US presidential elections in years past. We have a prime minister who has resigned due to some really poor polling numbers and a salivating Leader of the Opposition wanting to topple the tower right away for his own benefit. This entire experience could be extra fun, as there are whispers from high in Washington that the upcoming election could be the last for Canada as a sovereign country before we become the 51st state. Let’s see where this reading journey takes us!
Having read some other work by J. Patrick Boyer, I was eager to learn all about the world of referendums (correct use of the word, as Boyer explains)! While the subject matter might seem as simple as discussions of Yes or No, Boyer explains the intricacies of referendum development and how Canadian politics has been shaped by the numerous votes held at all levels of government. Exploring the three national referendum questions the country as a whole has faced since Confederation, as well as the numerous provincial/territorial and municipal votes, Boyer keeps the discussion thoroughly engaging from the opening pages through to the last sentiment expressed. Perhaps one of the most informative books on political topics that I have read in a number of years.
Since 1867, national referendum questions posed to Canadians include prohibiting alcohol, conscripting soldiers, and revamping our constitution. While a simple Yes or No was sought, the rationale and weight of those answers proved even more important. Some laud the importance presented to the voter—in hopes they will feel as though they are making a difference—while others argue that the subjects are too complex for the ‘simple citizen’ to comprehend. J. Patrick Boyer delves deeply into this and a number of other topics in this well-documented book.
Boyer tackles a significant amount of Canadian history, most of it political, to help educate the reader all about the importance of referendum processes and the strain it can put on any topic under investigation. The book starts by explaining the role of referendum questions and the contrast with the idea of plebiscites, the former being a binding decision put to the voting public, while the latter only a consultative vote. This has been a blurry area for governments who wish to seek the input of the public, though are not entirely ready to ensure they will follow the results. Boyer cited examples of results and how they were handled, at times synthesised out of emotional expression.
Boyer also opens the discussion to explore the details of the vote and how its results would be interpreted. Would a simple majority (50%+1) serve as a sound decision, or might a supermajority (higher threshold of support) or double majority (support of the general public and a majority in a number of voting regions) be required to pass the topic’s question? Boyer explores how controversial this could be, which makes results all the more intense in their acquisition.
One final foundational area worthy of exploration would be the question itself. How generic or detailed should it be? Does the voter need detailed information at the poll to make their decision or should it have been provided during the campaign time? Boyer cites examples on both sides, as well as the bold questions various governments have used to present for decision-making. As of the publication of the book, two governments (Quebec, 1980 and North-West Territories, 1982) hold the Guinness Book of World Records for longest referendum questions put to the voter. A significant discussion helps explore the importance of a question and its clarity.
The significant portion of the book looks at the different campaigns undertaken by government bodies in Canada and their results. As mentioned before, Canada as a whole has answered three questions since 1867, both specific regions have handled a number of other interesting issues, from sovereignty to use of the French-language, to electoral systems. Boyer does a stunning job exploring the ideas and assessing their usefulness. The reader can see some of the great tools used, as well as the failure of others. Nothing is left to wonder, as Boyer is detailed in his discussions within the tome.
While I learned so much here, I would say the discussion about referendum legislation was the most intriguing .I never gave it much thought, the need for a set of rules through legislation is essential to success. A government cannot simply announce it has a question to answer and choose a date to do so. Each government wanting to poll its electorate needs to have something on the books, with only a few provinces holding a standing piece of legislation to do so, while others have one-off bills for a specific question.
Boyer has a vested interest in referendum questions, having sought to put something on the books within the Canadian Parliament during his time as a Member of Parliament. While he failed, he used much of the research he had acquired to ensure a solid set of rules. This book is a collection of that research and so much more, dazzling in many areas for the reader to enjoy. Each chapter is full of information and analysis for the reader to enjoy, as Boyer assembles the various pieces of the larger whole. His assessments are on point and clearly explored. I could not have asked for anything more and am so pleased I took up the challenge of learning about something so important. Boyer delivers in ways I could not have imagined and fills in many gaps I didn't even know were missing. This is an essential read for anyone with an interest in the democratic process, which may become even more important in the coming years.
Kudos, Mr. Boyer, for this stunning look at an important part of the Canadian democratic process.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Having read some other work by J. Patrick Boyer, I was eager to learn all about the world of referendums (correct use of the word, as Boyer explains)! While the subject matter might seem as simple as discussions of Yes or No, Boyer explains the intricacies of referendum development and how Canadian politics has been shaped by the numerous votes held at all levels of government. Exploring the three national referendum questions the country as a whole has faced since Confederation, as well as the numerous provincial/territorial and municipal votes, Boyer keeps the discussion thoroughly engaging from the opening pages through to the last sentiment expressed. Perhaps one of the most informative books on political topics that I have read in a number of years.
Since 1867, national referendum questions posed to Canadians include prohibiting alcohol, conscripting soldiers, and revamping our constitution. While a simple Yes or No was sought, the rationale and weight of those answers proved even more important. Some laud the importance presented to the voter—in hopes they will feel as though they are making a difference—while others argue that the subjects are too complex for the ‘simple citizen’ to comprehend. J. Patrick Boyer delves deeply into this and a number of other topics in this well-documented book.
Boyer tackles a significant amount of Canadian history, most of it political, to help educate the reader all about the importance of referendum processes and the strain it can put on any topic under investigation. The book starts by explaining the role of referendum questions and the contrast with the idea of plebiscites, the former being a binding decision put to the voting public, while the latter only a consultative vote. This has been a blurry area for governments who wish to seek the input of the public, though are not entirely ready to ensure they will follow the results. Boyer cited examples of results and how they were handled, at times synthesised out of emotional expression.
Boyer also opens the discussion to explore the details of the vote and how its results would be interpreted. Would a simple majority (50%+1) serve as a sound decision, or might a supermajority (higher threshold of support) or double majority (support of the general public and a majority in a number of voting regions) be required to pass the topic’s question? Boyer explores how controversial this could be, which makes results all the more intense in their acquisition.
One final foundational area worthy of exploration would be the question itself. How generic or detailed should it be? Does the voter need detailed information at the poll to make their decision or should it have been provided during the campaign time? Boyer cites examples on both sides, as well as the bold questions various governments have used to present for decision-making. As of the publication of the book, two governments (Quebec, 1980 and North-West Territories, 1982) hold the Guinness Book of World Records for longest referendum questions put to the voter. A significant discussion helps explore the importance of a question and its clarity.
The significant portion of the book looks at the different campaigns undertaken by government bodies in Canada and their results. As mentioned before, Canada as a whole has answered three questions since 1867, both specific regions have handled a number of other interesting issues, from sovereignty to use of the French-language, to electoral systems. Boyer does a stunning job exploring the ideas and assessing their usefulness. The reader can see some of the great tools used, as well as the failure of others. Nothing is left to wonder, as Boyer is detailed in his discussions within the tome.
While I learned so much here, I would say the discussion about referendum legislation was the most intriguing .I never gave it much thought, the need for a set of rules through legislation is essential to success. A government cannot simply announce it has a question to answer and choose a date to do so. Each government wanting to poll its electorate needs to have something on the books, with only a few provinces holding a standing piece of legislation to do so, while others have one-off bills for a specific question.
Boyer has a vested interest in referendum questions, having sought to put something on the books within the Canadian Parliament during his time as a Member of Parliament. While he failed, he used much of the research he had acquired to ensure a solid set of rules. This book is a collection of that research and so much more, dazzling in many areas for the reader to enjoy. Each chapter is full of information and analysis for the reader to enjoy, as Boyer assembles the various pieces of the larger whole. His assessments are on point and clearly explored. I could not have asked for anything more and am so pleased I took up the challenge of learning about something so important. Boyer delivers in ways I could not have imagined and fills in many gaps I didn't even know were missing. This is an essential read for anyone with an interest in the democratic process, which may become even more important in the coming years.
Kudos, Mr. Boyer, for this stunning look at an important part of the Canadian democratic process.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Displaying 1 of 1 review