Edson (provincial electoral district) – Wikipedia

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Defunct provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada

Edson was a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1913 to 1986.

History[edit]

The electoral district was created during the 1913 Alberta general election from all of Lac Ste. Anne and the western portions of the Innsifail, Olds, Stony Plain and Red Deer provincial electoral districts.

Despite numerous boundary revisions in the province, Edson kept most of its original area. The riding was abolished into the new West Yellowhead riding in 1986.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)[edit]

Election results[edit]

1913 Alberta general election[edit]

1917 Alberta general election[edit]

1921 Alberta general election[edit]

1926 Alberta general election[edit]

1930 Alberta general election[edit]

1935 Alberta general election[edit]

1935 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes %
First count
Social Credit Joseph Unwin 2,154 41.52% –
Liberal John Sedgwick Cowper 1,620 31.23% 7.03%
Dominion Labor Christopher Pattinson 1,414 27.26% -48.54%
Total 5,188 – –
Ballot transfer results
Social Credit Joseph Unwin 2,443 54.16% –
Liberal John Sedgwick Cowper 2,068 45.84% –
Dominion Labor Christopher Pattinson Eliminated – –
Total 4,511 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 279 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 7,192 76.02% –
Social Credit gain from Dominion Labor Swing -25.80%

1940 Alberta general election[edit]

1944 Alberta general election[edit]

1948 Alberta general election[edit]

1952 Alberta general election[edit]

1955 Alberta general election[edit]

1959 Alberta general election[edit]

1963 Alberta general election[edit]

1967 Alberta general election[edit]

1971 Alberta general election[edit]

1975 Alberta general election[edit]

1979 Alberta general election[edit]

1982 Alberta general election[edit]

Plebiscite results[edit]

1957 liquor plebiscite[edit]

1957 Alberta liquor plebiscite results: Edson[1]
Question A: Do you approve additional types of outlets for the
sale of beer, wine and spirituous liquor subject to a local vote?
Ballot choice Votes %
Yes 2,222 82.08%
No 485 17.92%
Total votes 2,707 100%
Rejected, spoiled and declined 14
7,823 eligible electors, turnout 34.82%

On October 30, 1957 a stand-alone plebiscite was held province wide in all 50 of the then current provincial electoral districts in Alberta. The government decided to consult Alberta voters to decide on liquor sales and mixed drinking after a divisive debate in the Legislature. The plebiscite was intended to deal with the growing demand for reforming antiquated liquor control laws.[2]

The plebiscite was conducted in two parts. Question A, asked in all districts, asked the voters if the sale of liquor should be expanded in Alberta, while Question B, asked in a handful of districts within the corporate limits of Calgary and Edmonton, asked if men and women should be allowed to drink together in establishments.[1]

Province wide, Question A of the plebiscite passed in 33 of the 50 districts, while Question B passed in all five districts. Edson voted in favour of the proposal, with the largest percentage in the province. Voter turnout in the district was dismal, falling significantly below the province wide average of 46%.[1]

Official district returns were released to the public on December 31, 1957.[1] The Social Credit government in power at the time did not consider the results binding.[3] However the results of the vote led the government to repeal all existing liquor legislation and introduce an entirely new Liquor Act.[4]

Municipal districts lying inside electoral districts that voted against the plebiscite were designated Local Option Zones by the Alberta Liquor Control Board and considered effective dry zones. Business owners who wanted a license had to petition for a binding municipal plebiscite in order to be granted a license.[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Alberta Gazette. Vol. 53 (December 31 ed.). Government of Alberta. 1957. pp. 2, 247–2, 249.
  2. ^ “Albertans Vote 2 to 1 For More Liquor Outlets”. Vol L No 273. The Lethbridge Herald. October 31, 1957. pp. 1–2.
  3. ^ “No Sudden Change In Alberta Drinking Habits Is Seen”. Vol L No 267. The Lethbridge Herald. October 24, 1957. p. 1.
  4. ^ “Entirely New Act On Liquor”. Vol LI No 72. The Lethbridge Herald. March 5, 1958. p. 1.
  5. ^ “Bill 81”. Alberta Bills 12th Legislature 1st Session. Government of Alberta. 1958. p. 40.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 53°35′N 116°26′W / 53.59°N 116.43°W / 53.59; -116.43