Vancouver city council unanimously agreed Wednesday to request the provincial government allow permanent residents—estimated at 60,000 in Vancouver--the right to vote in the Oct. 20 municipal election.
The vote, however, didn’t come without some reservations from NPA Coun. Elizabeth Ball who argued it was “a gift” to vote and a privilege that comes with being and becoming a Canadian citizen.
“Coming to Canada and becoming a citizen is highly coveted all around the world,” she told council. “There are reasons why it’s coveted because we are a civilized society with rules, and those rules allow us all to live together in a relatively happy way.”
Ball said the motion brought forward by Vision Vancouver Coun. Andrea Reimer to allow permanent residents to vote didn’t outline the responsibilities of becoming a Canadian citizen. She requested city staff provide an analysis and legal opinion of what changing voting requirements would mean for the municipal election.
“If Vancouver does lead in this way, and it is to go throughout the province, [it’s important] that we’ve actually got real preparation for this to move forward,” said Ball, who cautioned her questions should not be viewed as banning new immigrants and refugees the right to vote. “This is not against the motion, it is to simply ask for information.”
The Government of Canada’s website states six responsibilities of being a citizen: obeying the law, serving on a jury, helping others in a community, protecting and enjoying heritage and environment, taking personal responsibility for oneself and one’s family and voting in elections.
The definition of a permanent resident applies to someone given status after immigrating to Canada as a refugee, a skilled worker, caregiver or sponsored family member. Such status is the first step to citizenship.
In her motion, Reimer noted more than 45 countries have granted permanent residents some form of voting rights. That includes countries such as Switzerland and Ireland, and seven municipalities in the United States, Hong Kong, Uruguay and Israel.
At least 11 municipalities in Canada, including Toronto, Saint John, Guelph and Halifax, are working toward extending voting rights to permanent residents.
“The principle of extending welcome to permanent residents into the voting system municipally is an important principle—and that’s what we’d be doing,” Reimer said in her closing comments. “The province can then take the steps necessary to work out the logistics.”
After council’s vote, the Courier received an emailed response from Selina Robinson, the minister responsible for municipal affairs, who said: “We’re open to ideas that encourage people to engage in the democratic process. I look forward to hearing more details from the City of Vancouver about their proposal.”
Council voted on Reimer’s motion after hearing from permanent residents Sharif Mohammad and Ashvan Wal, who said they want to vote in this fall’s municipal election. Both belong to a Vancouver Foundation-sponsored organization called “Fresh Voices,” which advocates for issues affecting young immigrants and refugees.
Mohammad is from Afghanistan and came to Canada in 2013 as a refugee. He was 16 at the time. He became a permanent resident in November 2016 and has applied to become a citizen.
“I see Vancouver as my new home,” he said. “And living in your new home, and volunteering and always looking to give back to your community, then I think this should be my right to vote.”
Wal, 20, said her family immigrated to Canada from India in 2010 in the skilled worker category.
“We pay taxes, we help fund city services, community centres, schools and we even contribute to your salaries,” she told council. “So if our money is good enough, and if we’re good enough to work, then why are we not good enough to be involved—why are we not good enough to have that right to vote?”
Reimer’s motion was influenced by a recommendation of the Independent Election Task Force report that went before council in January 2017. Authors of the report said giving permanent residents the right to vote could increase voter turnout in municipal elections.
Voter turnout in the 2014 Vancouver election was 43.4 per cent.
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