Forcing Choice

Covers Canadian referendums from the 1800s to the present, a deep and varied history of politicking, journalism, punditry, and advocacy. An MP and lifelong political insider details the do’s and don’ts of direct democracy In the wake of the 2016 “Brexit” vote in Britain, referendums are once again back in the popular consciousness, and rightly so: nobody can ignore the risk and importance of ballot questions, including the ones coming soon in Canada Author J. Patrick Boyer is one of Canada’s leading experts on questions of direct democracy, has written three prior books on the subject, introduced legislation on ballot questions in Parliament, debated direct democracy on national media, advised premiers on referendums, campaigned, and worked with foreign governments on referendum laws Grounded in research, scholarship, and parliamentary experience, a definitive work written to engage general readers