Should permanent residents be able to vote municipally? Some say it’s time

A former member of the legislative assembly who introduced a bill a decade ago says it is a good idea to revisit the issue of granting permanent residents the right to vote in municipal elections.

Lisa Roberts, now the nominated NDP candidate for the federal riding of Halifax, proposed a bill that would have made that possible in 2015.

“I still think it’s a good idea and maybe if a civil society group (got) behind it, it could have a potential in the future,” said Roberts.

Current situation

Permanent residents, or immigrants who can live in Canada but are not yet citizens, are not allowed to vote at any level of government. Only citizens can vote. There were 11,975 permanent residents admitted to Canada who intended to settle in Nova Scotia between January 2015 and September 2024.

Isaac Saney, a Dalhousie professor of African studies, said permanent residents deserve the right to vote.

“People have arrived here, worked here, paid taxes, become productive members of society,” says Saney. Still, he adds, some people argue they shouldn’t be accorded the right to vote in municipal elections, even though they have been impacted.

“I think in a sense, it runs against fundamental ideas of democratic practices.”

Saney points to the citizenship status of Canada’s Indigenous people in the past.

“They were denied citizenship and we see that as reprehensible and unacceptable. Who defines what citizenship? he asked. “It’s a political question … It creates the possibility of very unpleasant outcomes … It is an old story.”

This idea is also backed by the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. The organization didn’t agree to an interview, but an article on its website argues for granting permanent residents the right to vote.

“Municipal voting rights would be a wonderful way to say to immigrants: ‘We want you to stay here,’ ” the organization said. “You pay taxes, you volunteer, you create jobs, you work in our communities, you are good neighbours, and we think you should have the right to vote in your local community.”

The organization also says permanent residents have the knowledge, experience, perspective and commitment to help elect decisions makers in our communities.

Calls for permanent residents’ voting

The issue of voting rights for PRs has gained some momentum in other places; at the municipal level in  Toronto, Alberta, and New Brunswick there have been calls for these voting rights to extend to permanent residents.

 
Different voices

Voters at a Halifax polling station during the recent provincial election also gave their opinion.

“PRs are part of the community and are affected by who is serving them in their community. So, there is no question of it,” said Meredith Kent.

Kent agrees that PRs should vote. She said if someone has been part of a community for six months before an election is called, they have a right to have their voice heard in an election.

Abigail Baker said permanent residents will be able to vote in the long run.

“I understand the feeling, but it would eventually happen when they become citizens,” she said.

Goldy Chopra said it just creates a sense of belonging to exercise your voting right since you already can work and pay taxes. But you cannot get a passport or vote.

For Paul Falconer, it gives PRs a sense of community to be able to have a say, especially since they are paying taxes.

“If you are collecting their money, it is a moral obligation on your part to let PRs decide how it is spent,” he said.