Voting Rights through Time Study Notes

Elections Canada and Voting Rights

Historical Overview

  • Inquiry Question: How inclusive is our democracy?

  • The topic explores the evolution of voting rights in Canada, highlighting inclusivity and exclusivity in the democratic process.

Personal Reflection Activities (Minds On)

  • Reflect on moments of inclusion and exclusion in your life:

    • Excluded: Consider a personal experience where you felt excluded. Reflect on your feelings and actions in that moment.

    • Included: Discuss a time when you felt included. Note how it affected you and your subsequent actions.

Exploring Concepts of Inclusion and Exclusion

  • Define what inclusion looks like and feels like.

  • Define what exclusion looks like and feels like.

Case Study Activity Preparation

  • Each group needs:

    • A timeline activity board.

    • A set of case study cards that include a context card and associated activity cards.

Case Studies Overview

Case study: Women

  • Historical Context: The 1867 British North America Act exclusively allowed men the right to vote.

  • Activism: Women organized in the 1870s to advocate for equality and voting rights through:

    • Lobbying governments.

    • Marching.

    • Presenting petitions.

Case study: Japanese Canadians

  • Historical Context: Japanese Canadians settled in Canada from the 1870s, mainly in British Columbia, contributing as fishers, farmers, and business owners.

  • Racism and Exclusion: Faced significant discrimination, leading to:

    • Banning of voting rights by the BC government, affecting federal voting rights.

    • Forced relocations during World War II (1939-1945), where they were barred from voting federally.

  • Restoration of Rights: Gained full voting rights in 1948. A formal apology for past injustices was issued by the federal government in 1988.

Case study: First Nations Peoples

  • Governance Systems: First Nations have traditional governance that predates European influence and continues to exist.

  • Voting Rights: Their relationship with the federal electoral system has been complex, reflecting their independent governance.

Case study: Youth

  • Initial Voting Age: At the time of Confederation in 1867, only men aged 21 and older could vote.

  • World War Influence: Young men under 21 could vote while serving in the military, but this was rescinded in peacetime.

  • Voting Age Change: The age was lowered to 18 in 1970 due to changing societal views about youth.

  • Current Discussions: Ongoing discussions about potentially lowering the voting age to 16 to enhance youth participation in democracy.

Activity Instructions

  • Read Aloud: Each group reads their case study cards aloud.

  • Timeline Placement: Place each card on a timeline organized by date.

  • Inclusion/Exclusion Scale Discussion: Evaluate where to position each scenario on the inclusion/exclusion scale.

Turning Points in Case Studies

  • Definition: A turning point signifies a shift in the direction or pace of change.

  • Activity Prompt: Identify turning points within each case study and document them on the timeline.

Sharing Insights (Consolidation)

  • Share individual insights with another group, discussing:

    • Challenges in placing items on the timeline.

    • Surprising elements encountered during the activity.

    • Questions raised through the process.

Discussion Questions

  • Inclusion and Democracy: Does having the right to vote correlate with true inclusion in a democratic society?

  • Historical Voting Rights Comparison: Reflect on the federal voting rights landscape in 1867 versus today:

    • 1867: Population of Canada: 3,230,000; Number of eligible voters: 361,028 (11%).

    • Today: Population of Canada: 37,797,496; Number of eligible voters: 27,310,979 (72%).

Final Reflections

  • Reflect individually on:

    • Surprises about inclusion and exclusion in Canadian democracy.

    • One remaining question you have.

    • Considerations for further changes needed to enhance inclusivity in Canada’s democracy.