Mathieu Perreault a (encore une fois) été opéré à l’oeil
November 17, 2021, 01:36 PM
November 17, 2021, 02:07 PM
Il y a un peu plus de deux semaines, on apprenait que Mathieu Perreault allait …
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A look at past referendums in Canada as Albertans reject future separation vote
A look at past referendums in Canada
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Albertans voted in a referendum Monday against separation. In early results, about 76 per cent of said they wanted the province to stay in Canada, while 24 per cent said they wanted the province to hold a second, binding referendum on leaving the country.
Here's a look at some of the other referendums held across Canada:
2021 — Alberta on daylight time
The province asked residents whether it should adopt year-round daylight time — the time often used across Canada in the summer — to put an end to twice-yearly clock changes.
Out of more than 1 million votes, 50.2 per cent were against the idea, while 48.8 per cent were in favour of ditching clock changes.
Premier Danielle Smith announced this year that starting Nov. 1, the province is adopting year-round daylight time.
She said it's to gauge opinion and that most people will agree. She said if she's wrong, the government could put the matter to a vote in 2027.
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2019 — Prince Edward Island electoral reform
Voters weighed in on electoral reform alongside the provincial election.
It followed similar votes in 2016 and 2005, which both failed to eliminate the voting practice known as "first past the post."
The referendum asked: "Should Prince Edward Island change its voting system to a mixed member proportional voting system?"
The threshold for a win in either direction would have been 17, but neither side was able to secure that number — 13 districts voted against, while 14 voted in favour.
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2018 — British Columbia electoral reform
After failed votes in 2009 and 2005, the province held a third referendum on electoral reform.
Out of all ballots received, 61.3 per cent voted to keep first past the post, while proportional representation got 38.7 per cent.
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2007 — Ontario electoral reform
The referendum asked voters to chose between the existing first-past-the-post or the mixed-member proportional systems.
Voters overwhelmingly rejected mixed-member proportional representation, with Elections Ontario figures showing roughly 1.5 million people voted for change, while nearly 2.7 million voted against it.
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2001 — New Brunswick video lottery terminals
Voters were asked whether the province should ban VLTs, following a 1999 campaign promise by former premier Bernard Lord.
"Should the province of New Brunswick continue to permit the legal and regulated operation of video gaming devices, commonly known as video lottery terminals?"
About 53 per cent were in favour of keeping VLTs, while 47 per cent were opposed.
New Brunswick was the first to allow VLTs after Ottawa, in 1985, allowed provinces and territories to operate the machines.
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1997 — Newfoundland education
Newfoundlanders voted in on the churches’ role in the province’s education system.
The referendum asked: "Do you support a single school system where all children, regardless of their religious affiliation, attend the same schools where opportunities for religious education and observances are provided?"
More than 70 per cent of voters wanted to create a non-denominational public education system still allowing religious instruction and observance, ending the church-run school system.
In a similar vote two years earlier, voters narrowly approved the government’s plan to reform the church-run education system.
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1995 — Quebec sovereignty
A razor-thin majority rejected the idea of the province leaving Confederation and becoming its own country.
In a dramatic campaign, the sovereigntist side came from behind to take a lead in the polls in the final weeks before the vote. In the end, 50.58 per cent voted no.
Another vote was held in 1980, and 60 per cent also said no to sovereignty.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.
By Aaron Sousa | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Members of Quebec's official Opposition Liberals sworn in at the legislature
Quebec Liberals sworn in at legislature
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
The Canadian Press
Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Millard urged his caucus to serve with clarity and humility today as they were sworn in at the provincial legislature.
Millard said his party's work isn't done after a strong Oct. 5 election result.
The party more than doubled its seat count, going from 18 to 40 and will serve as the official Opposition to the minority Parti Québécois government.
Former premier Jean Charest was on hand to watch as his son Antoine was sworn in as the new representative for the Verdun riding.
All of the Liberals opted to swear the oath to the Quebec people and not to the King, after the oath to the monarch was made optional in 2022.
One member, Affine Lwalalika, was not sworn in since a judicial recount is underway in her riding.
Milliard told his elected members to be proud, but also urged them to approach the role with “a healthy dose of clarity and humility.”
“If our work of rebuilding were complete, we would be the ones forming the government today,” he said, adding, “There are still many regions to win back.”
“The result on Oct. 5 is certainly an important milestone, but it is by no means the culmination of all our efforts.”
He said it's unclear how long the minority PQ government led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon will last, and called for both discipline and teamwork.
“When it comes to resolving crises, the government will find in us a reliable and open partner, but when it comes to creating crises … it will find in us a tough and unyielding opponent,” he said.
Milliard also stated that the Quebec Fleur-de-lis is “just as striking alongside the Maple Leaf," in a plea for federalism that drew thunderous applause.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
By Caroline Plante | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Measles outbreak over after 2 years, thousands infected in Canada: PHAC
Measles outbreak over after two years
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
A measles outbreak that spanned two years and infected thousands of people in Canada is over.
The Public Health Agency of Canada made the declaration in a press release Monday, stating that more than 6,400 people were infected across 10 provinces.
Two infants in Ontario and Alberta who were infected with measles while in the womb died after they were born.
The outbreak began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and about a year later led to the loss of Canada’s measles elimination status due to ongoing transmission of the highly contagious disease for more than 12 months.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Joss Reimer says that although it's encouraging to see the outbreak declared over, it doesn’t mean that measles is gone.
Infectious disease experts have attributed the return of measles to declining vaccination rates, misinformation-fuelled vaccine hesitancy and distrust of authority, as well as disruptions to routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Measles continues to circulate globally, and we can expect to see further travel-related cases here at home,” Reimer said in a statement.
Ontario, which was one of the most affected provinces, declared its outbreak over last fall, while Alberta's ended in July. Public health officials in Manitoba said the province’s last laboratory-confirmed case was in August.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
By Hannah Alberga | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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