1923 Alberta prohibition plebiscite

The 1923 Alberta prohibition plebiscite held on November 5, 1923 was possibly the third province wide plebiscite in Alberta history.

Campaign

The decision to hold a province wide plebiscite was a vote in the affirmative in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta based on the requirements of the Citizens referendum law in force at the time.

The writs were issued to Alberta's 52 electoral districts under the 1921 boundaries on October 9, 1923.

The voting method used was Single Transferable Vote as favored by the United Farmers government, and the ballot question was a preference of four options given.

The Prohibition Committee

Prohibition Committee Executive
President	W.S. Galbraith
Vice Presidents	J.D. Higgenbottom
	Gladstone Virtue
Secretary	H.B. Brown
Assistant Secretary	John Wood
Treasure	F.H. Wilkins
Publicity	D.H. Ellen
Transportation	Ralph Thrall
Organizer	Rev. Wealaway

The Prohibition Committee was a campaign committee setup for the plebiscite to campaign for Option "A". The option to continue using the Liquor Act as it was before the Plebiscite.

The Prohibitionists ran a seven point platform. Point 1 of the platform encouraged voters to respect the laws already on the books. Point 2 of the platform stated that every constitutional method should be used to enact change in laws when the majority of voters desire a change. Points 3, 4 and 5 were focused on highlighting harm done by alcohol to the fabric of the community and society is incumbent upon itself to ban such harm.

Point 6 of the platform encouraged the crack down and banning of liquor distilling in Alberta and its exportation outside the province. Point 7 spoke in favor as the Committee being satisfied with the Liquor Act in force to that point. The committee believed the current legislation was the means to the end and allowed for efforts to be sustained until total prohibition is archived.

Moderation League of Alberta

The Moderation League of Alberta was the other committee campaigning for Option D, "Government Control".

Results

Options presented on the ballot	Votes	%
(a) Prohibition - Meaning thereby a continuance and development of present Liquor Legislation; that is, meaning the Abolition of the Sale of all Liquors excepting for strictly Medicinal Sacramental, Manufacturing and Scientific Purposes.
(b) Licensed Sale of Beer - Meaning thereby, the Sale of Beer in Licensed Hotels and other Premises, as provided in the proposed Temperance Act.
(c) Government Sale of Beer - Meaning thereby, the Sale of Beer by or through Government Vendors for consumption in Private Residences under Government Control and Regulations - other Liquors to be sold through Doctor's Prescription for Medicinal Purposes.
(d) Government Sale of All Liquors - Meaning thereby, the Sale of all Liquors by or through Government Vendors. Beer to be consumed on Licensed Premises and in Private Residences. Wines and Spirits to be purchased in limited quantities under permit issued by the government, under Government Control and Regulations.