In addition to our efforts to lower the voting age for federal, provincial and territorial elections, we’re ALSO campaigning in cities all across Canada to lower the voting age for LOCAL elections.
This strategy is working in the US, where a handful of cities have ALREADY lowered the voting age!
Vote16 Local is a great way for YOU to get involved. Help us launch a local campaign in YOUR municipality!
Twelve Canadian municipalities have already passed motions on extending the voting age. (See the green checkmarks below)
Cities can’t set their own voting age laws, but these local motions are essential in lobbying for this change and calling on their provinces to let them make this decision for themselves.
The more cities that support Vote16, the easier all provincial, territorial, and federal campaigns will be to win.
Brampton, ON
A local campaign led by 17-year-old Aymaan Abid was just launched in 2022, lobbying Brampton City Council to support Vote16.
Email: brampton@vote16canada.ca
Vote16 Brampton
Burnaby, BC
The Burnaby Citizens Association voted unanimously to endorse the Vote16 campaign, which is aimed at seeing younger people being able to vote across British Columbia.
Burnabynow
Burnaby Citizens Association
Calgary, AB (2018)
A motion to explore lowering the voting age for municipal elections passed thanks to the advocacy by then-Councillor, now-MP George Chahal, who stated that many 16-year-olds in the city work jobs at which they pay taxes, and therefore they should have a say in the way the city is run.
DH News
Toronto Star
Calgary Council Meeting
Edmonton, AB (2016)
A city council executive committee backed a request from the Edmonton Youth Council to extend the voting age to 16 for municipal elections.
The committee passed a motion that led to city council sending a letter alongside the youth council’s letter to the province in support of amending the Local Authorities Election Act.
Global News
CBC News
Edmonton Council Meeting
As a bonus, in 2017, Edmonton Public Schools wrote a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs advocating for a lowering of the municipal voting age to 16. Board Minutes [pdf]
CBC Video (2001): Fighting for a lower voting age
Lethbridge, AB (2015)
At the urging of Councillor Jeffrey Coffman, Lethbridge City Council resolved to support a resolution from the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, in which they requested the government of Alberta to set the voting age to 16 for local elections.
Letbridge Council Meeting
Moose Jaw, SK
Local campaign led by Youth Advisory Committee member Jaelin Caverhill.
Stay tuned for details!
Ottawa, ON
A local campaign led by 15-year-old Hamza Arrouch was just launched in 2022, lobbying Ottawa City Council to support Vote16.
Email: ottawa@vote16canada.ca
Vote16 Ottawa
Penticton, BC (2024)
At the urging of youth leaders like Sophie Robinson (pictured, right), Penticton City Council resolved to write a letter to the provincial and federal governments, in collaboration with Youth Council Penticton, in support of the Vote16 Campaign.
Pickering, ON (2004)
City Council unanimously adopted a motion to support #Vote16 in Ottawa. The motion was moved by Councillor Maurice Brenner and seconded by Bill McLean.
Pickering Council Meeting
Russell Township, ON
A local campaign led by council candidate Eric Greer and his partner Brittney Hughes was just launched in 2022, with support from area MP Francis Drouin.
Email: brittneyhughes20@gmail.com
Vote16 Russell
Saanich, BC (2021)
Council endorsed the Vote16BC campaign to extend the voting age in British Columbia, and had the Mayor write a letter to the Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs informing them of this endorsement.
Saanich News
Saanich Council Meeting
Strathcona County, AB (2018)
With a stunning 8 votes to 1, Council directed the Mayor to write the Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs to request that lowering the voting age for municipal elections be considered as part of the review of the Local Authorities Election Act.
Ward 4 Councillor Bill Tonita brought the idea to the table:
“When I talk to young people, I get the sense that they are passionate about a whole host of issues and they want to be engaged and they want to be taken seriously.”
Sherwood Park News
FortSaskOnline
Strathcona County Council Meeting
Surrey, BC
“Those individuals that are 16+ are contributing to the economy – paying taxes, participating in our workforce – but they have no say in how it operates,” said Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “They participate in a system that is regulated and governed, however, cannot vote for elected representatives that make decisions that impact their lives. Their voice and perspective should count in all government elections.”
Toronto, ON (2024)
A campaign led by Aleksi Toiviainen and Jaden Braves was launched in 2024, succesfully lobbied Toronto City Council to study allowing 16-year-olds to vote in neighbourhood polls.
Vote16 Toronto
Vancouver, BC (2021)
The City of Vancouver officially endorsed the youth-led Vote 16 B.C. campaign and its goal to extend the voting age across the province.
CBC News
Vancouver Council Meeting
Vernon, BC (2021)
Vernon city council wrote the British Columbia government to advocate for the voting age for municipal elections to be extended to 16.
Said the motion’s sponsor, Councillor Kelly Fehr, “I think our youth are smarter than some people give them credit for. They are far more engaged in what’s going on.”
Vernon Matters
Vernon Council Meeting
Victoria, BC (2019)
Victoria City Council voted 8-1 in favour of endorsing two resolutions to extend the voting age for municipal elections in British Columbia.
“Councillor Laurel Collins says this is a good idea, as it would create an opportunity to engage more citizens in local politics.”
iHeartRADIO
Victoria Council Meeting
Winnipeg, MB (2018)
In a unanimous vote, Winnipeg School Division trustees passed a motion to call on the province to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections.
CBC News
Winnipeg School Division Meeting
Whitehorse, YT (2024)
Whitehorse City Council voted 4-2 to call on the Yukon Government to analyze lowering the voting age for municipal elections to 16 and engage Yukon citizens on the matter.
Whitehorse Council Meeting
Winnipeg, MB
A local campaign led by Sarah Rohleder was just launched in 2022, lobbying Winnipeg City Council to pass a motion supporting Vote16 and promoting Vote16 in high schools.
Email: winnipeg@vote16canada.ca
Vote16 Winnipeg
Want to see your city listed? Join the network!
We're looking for all youth aged 13-25, who are passionate, outgoing, and dedicated.If you live in Canada, you could become a member of our executive team or a leader of a local campaign. Vote16 Canada will be able to support you with our national network of activists, strategic and informational resources, and connections to federal politicians who support this cause.
As a volunteer, you'll be able to help with research, strategy, communications, building connections, pushing legislation, everything.
