-
Military Voters and Wartime Elections Acts
Nurses and women in the armed services were allowed to vote; and then later on, women who had husbands, sons or fathers serving overseas. -
Military Personnel
The Military Voters Act gave the right to vote to all Canadian soldiers regardless of their period of residence in the country. Being public servants of Canada, they were respected enough in that context to be given such right.
(See also: Women) -
Period: to
Women
Although women were first considered the "lesser sex" and ignored, as World War I was in action, their voices were heard. Women were serving in the army, taking responsibility for jobs and families while men were away, etc. There were three stages for women to win voting rights. By 1917, nurses and women in the armed services were allowed to vote, later on, women who had husbands, sons or fathers serving overseas, and then finally, all women over 21 were allowed to vote as of 1919. -
All Women
All women over 21 were allowed to vote as of January 1, 1919. -
Chinese-Canadian Voters
Out of exclusion of race, a majority of Asian citizens of Canada were not allowed to vote. But after the Chinese participated in economical investment for the country, and a lot served in the military during the war, they were finally given the right to vote in 1947. -
Japanese-Canadians*
*Group of my choice
The Japanese Canadians were in a similar situation with the Chinese, but they were only enfranchised a year later in 1948 when racism as a political tool was finally discredited.
(Also see: Chinese Canadian Voters) -
Aboriginals
In most parts of Canada, First Nations were offered the right to vote at the time of Confederation - but only if they gave up their treaty rights and Indian status, which few were willing to do. The Indian Act and other agreements were attempts towards assimilation of the aboriginal people. It was not until 1960 that Indigenous Peoples were offered the franchise without having to give up any treaty rights in exchange.
