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For the first time in Canadian history, voting is established in Nova Scotia. By 1792, all provinces had established it.
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Slavery is abolished, Black Canadians who own property can vote.
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Confederation is established, forming the Dominion of Canada.
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Secret ballot is introduced with polling stations constantly monitored by police because of violence, this was the first time citizens could privately vote. Before this, voters had to publicly declare their vote.
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John A Macdonald passes the Indian Act 1876, to “do away with the tribal system and assimilate the Indian people.” This disenfranchised the Indigenous peoples completely. To consider the devastating repercussions of this act, watch the following video: Indian Act
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John A Macdonald introduces bill in Parliament to allow women to vote, but reverses it after facing heavy opposition.
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Japanese Canadians lose the right to vote in BC.
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Dominions Elections Act 1900 denies disenfranchised people provincially from voting in federal actions.
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All people of Asian descent are banned from voting. In 1947, a clause of the Dominions Act 1920 stated that all Asian Canadians excluding Japanese Canadians could vote. Japanese Canadians were finally granted this right provincially in 1948, and federally in 1949.
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Women are granted suffrage, starting in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan. This excludes Japanese, Aboriginal, and South Asian women in most provinces. To learn more about this movement, read the following article written by Elections Canada: Women's Suffrage
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During the First World War, the War-Time Elections Act was passed by Robert Borden, banning Canadians born in enemy countries or speaking their languages from voting. Religious groups (namely the Mennonites and Hutterites) are banned from voting as well because of their pacifist beliefs and opposition to conscription. This lasts for 3 years.
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All women except for First Nations and Inuit women are granted suffrage federally. Women would soon be allowed to be elected, with Agnes McPhail being the first female representative.
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All South Asian Canadians can vote. Doukhobers, Hutterites, and Mennonites are banned from voting again.
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Japanese Canadians are finally given the right to vote after the prime minister, Mackenzie King, states he didn’t know they wanted to vote.
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Prime Minister John Difefenbaker passes the Canadian Bill of Rights, which receives royal assent. Aboriginal people are now allowed to vote.
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The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is passed and entrenched into the Constitution. Everyone is granted equal rights regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, etc. This was because of Pierre Trudeau’s efforts to autonomize Canada. To learn more about the Charter, read this summary: Charter of Rights and Freedoms
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Canada Elections Act 1993 bans discrimination based on mental health, Candiands with mental illnesses can vote federally.
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Citizens with no permanent lodging are allowed to vote.
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Because of Sauvé v. Canada, all prisoners are granted the right to vote, regardless of sentence length. To learn more about this case, read the following briefing Sauvé v. Canada
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Expat Canadians are allowed to vote.
