Correspondence from Mayor Helps re: Permanent Residents to Vote in BC Municipal Election

March 7, 2019,

Dear Premier Horgan,

I am writing on behalf of Victoria City Council, requesting favourable consideration and resolutions of support for permanent residents to vote in BC municipal elections.

At the February 14, 2019 Council Meeting, Council approved the following resolution:

WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has the governing authority to implement electoral legislative changes including allowing for Permanent Residents to vote in municipal elections;

AND WHEREAS more than 45 countries have granted Permanent Residents some form of voting rights — including seven jurisdictions in the U.S. and 25 European Union countries; and 11 municipalities in Canada are working toward extending local election voting rights to Permanent Residents;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Province of British Columbia to make the necessary changes to allow Permanent Residents to vote in municipal elections in Victoria and other municipalities.

We eagerly look forward to your support on this matter.

Sincerely,

Lisa Helps Victoria Mayor

cc. Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) Annual Convention The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Annual Convention British Columbia Municipalities and Regional Districts