First Nation Right to Vote

July 06, 2015

The right to vote is widely recognized as a fundamental human right in a democratic society and in Canada every Canadian citizen has that right as guaranteed in Section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. [1] Ensuring the ability of citizens to exercise their right to vote is the responsibility of the government.

ICT-Aboriginal-ballot-513481-edited

The right to vote is further supported by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights “recognizes the integral role that transparent and open elections play in ensuring the fundamental right to participatory government. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Article 21 states:

Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his/her country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
 
The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot or by equivalent free voting procedures.” [2]

In Canada, universal adult suffrage was achieved federally in 1960 when the right to vote was extended to all First Nations under the Act to Amend the Canada Elections Act. For some background, please read The Indian Act and the Right to Vote.

So, yes, all Aboriginal people have the right to vote but are they voting proportionally with non-Aboriginal voters? According to Elections Canada statistics, the Aboriginal right to vote doesn't equate to them exercising that right. Here’s the breakdown:

Federal Election

Aboriginal

First Nation

Inuit

Métis

2004

60.4%

55.9%

72.7%

68.4%

2006

69.8%

65.2%

77.1%

75%

2008

54.2%

50.1%

57.1%

67.3%

2011

65.9%

62.3%

66.7%

73.2%

There are a number of reasons why more Aboriginal people don’t exercise their right to vote. Over the next couple of weeks we will take a look at historical reasons and some of the barriers that Aboriginal people face when they want to exercise their right to vote.

[1] Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Section 3. Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein.

[2] New Voter Identification Procedures and Related Impacts on Aboriginal Peoples and Communities in Canada Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, 2009

If you found this article on the First Nation right to vote interesting, consider signing up for our free, weekly newsletter to receive more articles, news items and career opportunities. It's very easy to unsubscribe if you change your mind.

Learn more! Sign up for our Indigenous Relations Newsletter

Topics: Indigenous Issues

  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
Covenant House logo, photo of Trevor Snider - Commemorating a Reconciliation Ally - Donate today!

About this Blog

Let this blog be your guide to Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples®. We have hundreds of articles loaded with tips, suggestions, videos, and free eBooks for you. Happy reading!

Subscribe to the Indigenous Relations Newsletter

Recent Posts

Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., provides information on this blog for free as a resource for those seeking information about Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Readers looking for more detailed information, or who have questions, can sign up for our fee-for-service training. Also, ICT encourages everyone who reads this information to use their best judgment given their own circumstances, vulnerabilities, and needs, and to contact a consulting or legal professional if you have more specific questions. Join the conversation over on our Linkedin page.