Why Voting Matters: The Hard-Earned Right We Must Never Take for Granted

Most of us grew up hearing that voting is a right — but few of us were taught just how hard Canadians fought to earn it.

The truth is: democracy didn't simply "happen" here. It was demanded, debated, and defended by generations who refused to be silent.

As we head to the polls, it's worth remembering: when we vote, we stand on their shoulders.

A Right That Wasn't Always Universal

When Canada became a country in 1867, the right to vote was reserved for a narrow group: wealthy, land-owning white men.

Women, Indigenous peoples, Black Canadians, Asian Canadians, and many others were systematically excluded — through both laws and deeply entrenched discrimination.

Quick timeline:

• 1918: White women gained the right to vote federally.

• 1948: Race-based voting restrictions were removed, granting Asian Canadians and Black Canadians full federal voting rights.

• 1960: Indigenous Canadians secured the right to vote federally without being forced to renounce their Indian Status.

Each of these milestones represents decades of activism, courage, and sacrifice. None came easily.

The Fight for Inclusion

Women's suffrage was not a gift — it was won through relentless advocacy. Brave women organized protests, marches, and petitions, demanding recognition as full citizens.

Black Canadians, facing both systemic racism and unofficial barriers at the polls, pushed back through the courts, through organizing, and through political activism, fighting to have their voices counted.

For Indigenous Canadians, the path was even longer and harder. Until 1960, many were forced to choose between their right to vote and their legal identity under the Indian Act — a deeply unjust dilemma. Their successful fight to change that remains one of the most powerful victories for civil rights in Canadian history.

What Voting Represents Today

Voting is not just a civic duty. It's a living expression of democracy.

When you vote, you are:

• Honouring the sacrifices made by those who fought for your right to be heard.

• Defending the belief that every person's voice matters equally.

• Protecting a system that others around the world are still fighting to achieve.

In every ballot cast, there is a memory — and a promise.

Let's Show Up. Let's Honour the Journey.

Democracy isn't automatic. It only survives when we take part.

When you step into that voting booth, remember: you are not alone.

You walk with the women who marched for suffrage. You walk with the Black Canadians who challenged discrimination. You walk with Indigenous peoples who refused to choose between their identity and their citizenship.

Together, we build the future — vote by vote.

🗳 Election Day is April 28th!

📞 Need a ride to the polls? Call 902-299-0498.

🌐 Find your voting location: elections.ca