The right to vote is not universal, and throughout our
history it has been granted to and withheld from a surprising number of
groups. In 1867, only about 16% of Canadians met the requirements for
voting. While these requirements were gradually dropped, until 1917 only
adult white males could vote. Then, the Wartime Elections Act of 1917
temporarily gave the vote, both federally and provincially, to all servicemen,
including natives and minors, and their female relatives. At the same
time, however, conscientious objectors and "enemy aliens" had their
voting rights revoked.
The democratic ideal of universal suffrage had yet to be
realized. Until 1948, many Asians could not vote federally, while Canada's
Inuit and status Indians were not granted the federal vote until 1950 and 1960
respectively. Aboriginal Albertans first went to the
polls provincially in 1967. In 1970, the federal voting age was lowered to
18 from 21, and most provinces followed suit. Most adult citizens now have
the right to vote, although some jurisdictions exclude inmates of prisons and
mental institutions.
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
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