Referendum Period Begins Today in Quebec for Vote on Nunavik Regional Government
21 March 2011 | Referendum
On 27 April the people of Nunavik, in Northern Quebec, will vote on whether to accept an agreement reached between the federal government, the Government of Québec and Makivik Corporation concerning a regional government project.
Residents of Nunavik as well as well as Inuit beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement who do not reside in Nunavik are entitled to vote in the referendum, but must ensure that they register to be included on the referendum list.
It is also important to note that there are election financing rules that must be complied with if an elector wishes to campaign for or against the Agreement.
First, there is a referendum expense limit on any goods or services used during the referendum period to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, a point of view regarding the Agreement. The dollar limit is equal to the number of electors in the relevant territory, and will be published once the revision of the referendum list is complete on 14 April.
Electors who wish to incur referendum expenses must register with the Chief Returning Officer as intervenors. Any advertising or campaign material produced by an intervenor must indicate on it who the intervenor is.
Electors who incur referendum expenses must also file a return to the Chief Returning Officer within 90 days of the referendum, setting out the list and amount of such expenses.
Elections Quebec has set up a website here that has helpful information on many aspects of the referendum, including how to register to vote, how to register as an intervenor and the full rules of the referendum, including financing and advertising.