Case study: Youth – language learners version

Context card

Context card	Source: The Canadian Press / Dave Chidley	In 1867, only men who were at least 21 years old could vote in federal elections. They also had to own property to be allowed to vote. During the two world wars, people under 21 could vote if they served in the military. After the Second World War, young people in the Canadian Armed Forces continued to have these voting rights. In 1970, the voting age was reduced to 18 with little debate. Today, there is discussion about how to get more youth involved in democracy. Some people are pushing for lowering the voting age to 16.

A photograph showing a group of young people protesting, waving Canadian flags and signs that say “vote.” — Source: The Canadian Press / Dave Chidley

In 1867, only men who were at least 21 years old could vote in federal elections. They also had to own property to be allowed to vote.

During the two world wars, people under 21 could vote if they served in the military. After the Second World War, young people in the Canadian Armed Forces continued to have these voting rights.

In 1970, the voting age was reduced to 18 with little debate.

Today, there is discussion about how to get more youth involved in democracy. Some people are pushing for lowering the voting age to 16.

Activity cards

1867	Source: © House of Commons Collection, Ottawa	At Confederation, you can vote only if you: are male are at least 21 years old own property The voting age is 21 in most democracies around the world.

1867

A painting depicting the Fathers of Canadian Confederation. — Source: © House of Commons Collection, Ottawa

At Confederation, you can vote only if you:

are male
are at least 21 years old
own property

The voting age is 21 in most democracies around the world.

1917	Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-002318	During the First World War, everyone in the military is allowed to vote no matter how old they are. People are supposed to be 18 years old to serve in the military. However, many soldiers are younger than 18. This means that some 16- and 17-year-olds vote. Some people see this as unfair, since the regular voting age is 21.

1917

Black and white photograph of a group of soldiers in an empty battlefield marking their ballots. — Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-002318

During the First World War, everyone in the military is allowed to vote no matter how old they are.

People are supposed to be 18 years old to serve in the military. However, many soldiers are younger than 18. This means that some 16- and 17-year-olds vote.

Some people see this as unfair, since the regular voting age is 21.

1920	Source: Jean-Baptiste Dorion, Library and Archives Canada, PA-122937	After the First World War ends, a new election law is passed. The law makes voting rules standard across the country. The voting age for federal elections returns to 21 for all Canadians.

1920

Black and white photograph of three young soldiers in uniform. — Source: Jean-Baptiste Dorion, Library and Archives Canada, PA-122937

After the First World War ends, a new election law is passed. The law makes voting rules standard across the country.

The voting age for federal elections returns to 21 for all Canadians.

1942	Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-005160	During the Second World War, everyone in the military is allowed to vote no matter how old they are. Around 700,000 people in the Canadian military are under 21 years old.

1942

Black and white photograph of a group of men wearing military uniforms, gathered around a table. One man gives a ballot to another man. On the wall is posted a paper that reads: “List of Electors.” — Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-005160

During the Second World War, everyone in the military is allowed to vote no matter how old they are.

Around 700,000 people in the Canadian military are under 21 years old.

1944	Source: Image courtesy of Peel’s Prairie Provinces, a digital initiative of the University of Alberta Libraries (peel.library.ualberta.ca)	Alberta lowers the voting age to 19 for provincial elections. It is the first province to give voting rights to those under 21. A year later, Saskatchewan lowers the voting age to 18. All other provinces keep the voting age at 21.

1944

Illustrated postcard showcasing the Alberta Legislature, a building with columns and a dome roof. The words “Provincial Parliament Building, Edmonton, Alta.” appear at the bottom. — Source: Image courtesy of Peel’s Prairie Provinces, a digital initiative of the University of Alberta Libraries (peel.library.ualberta.ca)

Alberta lowers the voting age to 19 for provincial elections. It is the first province to give voting rights to those under 21.

A year later, Saskatchewan lowers the voting age to 18. All other provinces keep the voting age at 21.

1945	Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-145516	The Second World War ends. No changes are made to voting rights for people serving in the military. They can vote in federal elections no matter how old they are. For everyone else, the voting age is still 21.

1945

Black and white photograph showing a large group of women wearing military uniforms smiling at the camera. — Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-145516

The Second World War ends.

No changes are made to voting rights for people serving in the military. They can vote in federal elections no matter how old they are.

For everyone else, the voting age is still 21.

1948	Source: Courtesy of The St. Catharines Standard, photographer Don Sinclair	High school students speak to members of Parliament at a national conference. They ask the panel why the voting age has not been lowered to 18. Some leaders, including Agnes Macphail and John Diefenbaker, are open to the idea.

1948

Black and white photograph showing a group of young people standing together with Agnes Macphail. — Source: Courtesy of The St. Catharines Standard, photographer Don Sinclair

High school students speak to members of Parliament at a national conference.

They ask the panel why the voting age has not been lowered to 18.

Some leaders, including Agnes Macphail and John Diefenbaker, are open to the idea.

1970	Source: © Library of Parliament - Roy Grogan	Parliament lowers the voting age for federal elections from 21 to 18. About two million young people gain the right to vote. This is the largest increase in voters since women got the right to vote. There is one exception to the new voting age rule: Canadians who are in the military at age 17 can vote in federal elections.

1970

Photograph of Canada’s House of Commons. — Source: © Library of Parliament - Roy Grogan

Parliament lowers the voting age for federal elections from 21 to 18.

About two million young people gain the right to vote. This is the largest increase in voters since women got the right to vote.

There is one exception to the new voting age rule: Canadians who are in the military at age 17 can vote in federal elections.

1993	Source: The Canadian Press / Fred Chartrand	In the federal election, the voting age is 18 for all Canadian citizens, including those in the military. BC is the last province to lower its voting age to 18. Until 1992, the voting age in BC was 19.

1993

In the federal election, the voting age is 18 for all Canadian citizens, including those in the military.

BC is the last province to lower its voting age to 18. Until 1992, the voting age in BC was 19.

2016	Source: Brian Higgins, CBC Licensing	Prince Edward Island (PEI) allows youth aged 16 and older to vote in a provincial plebiscite. This is when people vote on an important question. In this case, the question is about changing the provincial election system. These youth in PEI are allowed to vote because they will be 18 by the time of the next provincial election. The voting age for provincial elections in PEI (and all of Canada) is still 18.

2016

Photograph of four smiling teenagers holding up a piece of paper. — Source: Brian Higgins, CBC Licensing

Prince Edward Island (PEI) allows youth aged 16 and older to vote in a provincial plebiscite. This is when people vote on an important question. In this case, the question is about changing the provincial election system.

These youth in PEI are allowed to vote because they will be 18 by the time of the next provincial election.

The voting age for provincial elections in PEI (and all of Canada) is still 18.