Province rejects Calgary motion to allow permanent residents to vote in civic elections

Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver said the Government of Alberta does not accept a motion made by Calgary city council this week which states permanent residents should be allowed to vote in municipal elections.

“Yesterday, Calgary city council passed a motion advocating for permanent residents to be extended the right to vote in civic elections," said McIver in a statement released to media on May 1. "Alberta’s government has been clear since the beginning: only Canadian citizens are able to vote in civic elections. That will not be changing.

“The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms affirms the right of every Canadian citizen to vote and to run as a candidate," he went on to say. "This right extends to voters in municipal, provincial and federal elections. Protecting our democracy is of the utmost importance. Our provincial election legislation, like the Local Authorities Elections Act, has also been clear since its inception that voting is a right of Canadian citizens.

“Our government will continue to protect the integrity of our elections and make sure voting is accessible for all Albertans who are Canadian citizens,” McIver concluded.