The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has submitted a call for major democratic reforms to the province’s Special Committee on Democratic and Electoral Reform.
The organization is urging the BC government to lower the voting age to 16, grant voting rights to permanent residents, and move ahead with electoral reform through legislation—without relying on public referenda.
The BCCLA argues that referenda on complex issues like electoral reform often oversimplify key questions, maintain the status quo, and leave out marginalized voices. Instead, they say, elected officials should use their legislative authority to lead reforms directly.
They also highlight that permanent residents—who work, pay taxes, and contribute to their communities—are currently denied the right to vote in BC elections. Granting them the vote, the group says, would make the system more inclusive and representative.
In addition, the BCCLA supports lowering the voting age to 16, pointing to international evidence that younger voters are politically engaged and more likely to vote long-term if they start early.
The submission builds on similar efforts by advocacy groups like Fair Vote BC and the #LostVotes campaign, aiming to create a more equitable democracy across the province.
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