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 By late1922, and as the public watched with fascination as Emilio
Picariello and Florence Lassandro stood trial for the shooting death of
Alberta Provincial Police Constable Stephen Lawson, a movement against Prohibition was growing in
Alberta.1
Enforcement had proved difficult despite increasing and more
violent efforts, and had not generated satisfactory results. The Hotelman’s
Association appealed to the provincial government to take full control of
the liquor trade and reinstate liquor parlours and beer halls. The
Association circulated a petition to this effect and when it was delivered
to the government in early 1923 it contained over 50,000 names.
As historian
Frank Anderson notes, it was “entirely possible that many persons, appalled
by the tragedy and the violence that seemed to accompany all efforts to
enforce Prohibition, both in the United States and Canada, willingly signed
the petition in order to prevent more disorder and breaking of laws.”2
 The third and final plebiscite concerning prohibition subsequently took
place on November 5, 1923, roughly one year after the murder of Stephen
Lawson and six months following the execution of Emilio Picariello and
Florence Lassandro for the crime. When the votes were counted, Albertans had
chosen to have the liquor trade be controlled by the government and on May
10, 1924 the Alberta Liquor Act was amended and Prohibition ceased to exist
in Alberta.
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Heritage Community Foundation Presents
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