Calgary councillors narrowly approved a motion to advocate for permanent residents’ right to vote in municipal elections.  

The motion, put forward by Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott, asked for the City of Calgary to join with the Town of Penhold on a proposed Alberta Municipalities resolution looking for advocacy on permanent residents’ right to vote.  The item was discussed in a truncated regular meeting of council on April 30.

The resolution, which would be forwarded to Alberta Municipalities for an upcoming general meeting, was approved by councillors 9-6.

Coun. Walcott said that people have talked about voting rights as being the incentive for citizenship. He believed the incentive for citizenship is being engaged in the community. Walcott said this just takes a change in perspective.

“What it means is that with one small wording change within the Local Authorities Election Act, we’ll be able to honour the fact that we have a large population within all of this province, let alone the country, who are currently being taxed without representation at a local level,” Walcott said.

“By opening up this opportunity for people to participate in democracy at a local level, you actually create a different type of incentive at the provincial and federal level to become a citizen.”

Several councillors were opposed to the motion, saying that the province has already expressed reluctance on this issue. Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver had posted to social media saying that this change was not going to happen.

Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp said that she believes voting rights are integral to people wanting to become citizens. She told the story of her mom being a permanent resident for 30 years, and being proud when she became a citizen because she could participate in the democratic process.

“Citizenship means something to people. It comes with rights and obligations,” Sharp said.

“It’s an investment into the community, and the community investment into you.”

Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean said that it was a “waste of time and redundant” given the province had expressed opposition to it.

“I’m wondering what’s next. Is it 16-year-olds, is that where the next level is to go voting because people have talked about it,” McLean said.

The resolution will be sent to the Town of Penhold and then the Alberta Municipalities to be discussed at an upcoming meeting.