Ontario Referendum

[PresidentDavid]

Residents of northern Ontario would petition the government of the Atlantic Federation to have a referendum on their current political status. They wished to have the following options:

 

1. Keep current status

2. Join the Atlantic Federation

3. Become independent 

4. Join the Plains Federation

 

 

 

With permission from the Atlantic Federation's central government, local governments would begin setting up polling places in cities like Thunder Bay and Sudbury. 

[Vedran]

The petition was brought to the Minister for Trust Territories, who had it in mind to approve the request, but checked with the Prime Minister anyway. She thought it was an understandable request, and gave him the okay. The Minister approved the petition, and set the groundwork for the referendum to decide North Ontario's future. Either they would remain a trust territory, join with the Province of South Ontario, return to their independent and disorganized state, or become a part of the nearest stable government.

 

The Minister went ahead and supported the organization of polling stations with the portion of the Ministry's budget that had been allocated to North Ontario. Since the trust territory wasn't an integral part of the Federation, the referendum didn't need approval from Parliament. A number of NGO's throughout the Federation sent along observers to ensure the procedure was up to standards, and foreign observers were welcome as well. A website was set up, so any registered voters who could supply their information would be able to vote in the referendum, given that some residents of more rural or remote areas, especially in the subarctic, couldn't afford to travel far south and so they could have their say as well.

Edited July 22, 2014 by Vedran

[PresidentDavid]

The local governments of north Ontario jointly thanked the Prime Minister for approving their request. Any observers from the Federation or foreign observers would be welcome to watch the polling procedures. Residents across the territory would be made aware that the vote was going to take place. Residents in rural areas could either use the internet to vote or would have their ballets personally brought to actual polling stations if requested. 

 

The referendum would begin the following day and go off without a hitch. The Federation government would be kept up to date as results came pouring in from across North Ontario.

[PresidentDavid]

The following areas would be included in the vote.

[Vedran]

With polling stations abuzz with activity to decide the fate of North Ontario in a binding referendum, the federal government prepared for any result. With two of the four options suggesting that the Federation would have to clear out of the territory, the government in Ottawa prepared to leave if necessary. The Ministry of National Defence set in a slow mobilization of their brigade group spread throughout North Ontario, and got it ready to withdraw back to the south. However, what few civilian government institutions were there, didn't pack up immediately, as they'd likely have time, and the customs services were still manning their border posts in South Ontario as the territory wasn't nominally a part of the Federation.

[PresidentDavid]

Referendum Results:

 

1% Keep current status 

30% Join the Atlantic Federation
11% Become independent 
58% Join the Plains Federation 

 

 

The local governments of Northern Ontario would let the Prime Minister know of the election results. The votes and all other information would be made public for any government or organization to take note of. The Plains Federation would be notified next. Deputy Secretary of State would contact the Prime Minister of the Atlantic Federation with the following message:

 

Mister Prime Minister,

 

The results of this referendum comes as a surprise to the government of the Plains Federation. I am confident that congress will accept Northern Ontario into the Federation, but it may take a few days. In the mean time, I wanted to make sure your armed forces didn't feel rushed leaving the territory. The Atlantic Federation is seen as a stable and peaceful nation and your troops are the soldiers of a close friend to the Plains Federation - we feel no threat. Just please alert your soldiers that National Guardsmen from the Plains Federation will be moving in to Northern Ontario on a low-number level of about 7,000. 

 

Please let me know if there is any questions I can answer or any concerns I can address. 

 

 

Samuel Ireland

Deputy Secretary of State of The Plains Federation

 

[Vedran]

With the PM's approval, the Minister for Trust Territories recognized the results of the referendum, and set about withdrawing the Federation civilian presence in the area. NatDef began a gradual withdrawal of Federation Forces stationed in the territory, and was expected to be completed by the end of the month.