Did you know that some property owners are eligible to vote more than once in municipal elections happening on November 2nd? It’s true! If you’re a Canadian citizen aged 18 and above, you have the right to vote in the municipality where you reside. But here’s the interesting part – if you own properties like an apartment building, land, or a cottage in different municipalities, you can vote in each of those places too.
According to Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet, a spokesperson for Élections Québec, there are over 1,100 separate municipal elections taking place simultaneously. Each election aims to establish a municipal council to govern its respective area. Surprisingly, there is no limit to how many times a property owner can cast their vote in different municipalities they own property in.
While it may seem unusual, this voting rule is not exclusive to Quebec. Provinces like Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia also allow property owners to participate in multiple municipal elections. This practice dates back to the historical link between property ownership and the right to vote, established during Canada’s founding in 1867.
At that time, owning property was a requirement for voting at all political levels. Though this condition was removed at the federal and provincial levels in the 20th century, it persisted in municipal elections. This tradition stemmed from a political system closely tied to property ownership. Historians like Harold Bérubé explain that this connection between property and voting rights shaped early democratic processes in Canada.
Bérubé notes that the municipal system, established in the mid-19th century, was influenced by British colonial authorities’ concerns over democracy. This historical context explains why voting in multiple municipalities as a property owner has endured over time, reflecting the limited democratic nature of municipal governance.
It’s fascinating to delve into the origins of our voting practices and how they continue to shape our democracy today. So, next time you cast your vote, remember the historical significance behind the right to vote, property ownership, and municipal elections.
