Immigrants who settle in Halifax may soon be allowed to vote, even before they get Canadian citizenship. If so, Halifax would be the first city in Canada to adopt the practice.
Lana Ansari, who bought a thriving bakery in Halifax’s north end three months ago, says she would jump at the chance to vote in municipal elections. She feels being able to vote would make her feel part of the larger community.
“I think it would be maybe even faster to integrate into Canadian culture and be part of the Canadians,” says Ansari, who moved to Halifax from Ukraine a year ago.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage says he has asked city staff to conduct some research about the possibility of allowing immigrants who are awaiting citizenship, which can take up to six years, to vote in municipal elections.
“We’re going to talk to the provincial government. We’re going to have to look at the provincial Elections Act, which is a provincial government responsibility, and set some things down and say these are the things we want to do,” says Savage.
Mohammed Nawaz, who teachers language skills and cultural communication at Immigrant Settlement and Immigration Services in Halifax, believes the new immigrant vote would be good for everyone.
“If landed immigrants have a say in the election and they express their opinion, it could boost election turnout,” says Nawaz, who is awaiting citizenship.
He says he would like his voice to be heard on the issues that affect his family, such as mass transit, education and sports facilities.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ron Shaw
