February 12, 1982

To describe the April, 1982 plebiscite on division of the Northwest Territories as a breakthrough is an understatement. After the people of the Northwest Territories voted "Yes" to division, the creation of Nunavut became inevitable. Here is the question that NWT residents voted on in April of 1982, wording that was set by the NWT legislative assembly in December.

Wording of division question

Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — The big question NWT residents will face on April 14 is: "Do you think that the Northwest Territories should be divided? Yes or No.

Also on the ballot form will be an explanation of how the question came about.

The text of the explanation is:

"In response to the a proposal to create a new territory in the Eastern part of the Northwest Territories, the legislative assembly agreed to hold a plebiscite.

"If a majority of the voters agree that the Northwest Territories should be divided, the legislative assembly will request the government of Canada to divide the Northwest Territories and create a new territory in the eastern part of the Northwest Territories.

"If the government of Canada agreeds to divide the Northwest Territories, the legislative assembly will also request that a federal boundaries commission be appointed to consult with the people of the Northwest Territories and to recommend the exact boundaries of the new territory."

The wording of the question was approved by the assembly in December.

NWT residents who have lived in the Territories three years as of April 14, who are Canadian citizens and who 19 years of age or older, are eligible to vote in the plebiscite.