Edmonton municipal plebiscite, 1979

On November 30, 1979 residents of Edmonton were asked whether they wished to repeal the municipal bylaw authorizing construction of a Trade and Convention Centre. This building is now known as the Shaw Conference Centre. Construction of the centre was supported by the mayor, Cec Purves.

As the question was about repealing a bylaw that allowed the construction of a Convention Centre, those favouring construction were required to vote "no" on the ballot. In order to avoid confusion, the pro-Convention Centre campaign propagated the slogan "No means go".

Voter turnout

There were 81,832 ballots cast out of 300,000 eligible voters, for a voter turnout of 27.3%.

Results

Are you in favour of the repealing of bylaw No. 5384, a bylaw authorizing the construction and maintenance of a Trade and Convention Centre?

Yes – 29,491
No – 51,611

There were 730 ballots rejected.

References

City of Edmonton: Edmonton Elections

Elections and plebiscites in Edmonton

Municipal elections	1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 (Jan) 1896 (Dec) 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1912 (Feb) 1912 (Dec) 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1966 1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013

By-elections	1907 1911 1912 1970 1984 1994

Plebiscites	1979 1981

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