Lower Voting Age to 16

Summary#

This bill lowers the federal voting age from 18 to 16 for general elections and national referenda. It updates related parts of the Canada Elections Act and referendum regulations, adjusts the “future elector” register to ages 14–15, and sets a coming‑into‑force window of up to six months after royal assent unless Elections Canada is ready sooner.

• Lowers the elector qualification age from 18 to 16 for federal elections (Section 3; Clause 2) and referenda (Regulation Schedule s.3; Clause 7).
• Narrows “future elector” status to citizens aged 14–15 (s.2(1) definition; Clause 1).
• Repeals a special rule for appointing 16–17-year‑old election officers, since all electors (now 16+) are eligible (s.22(5) repealed; Clause 3).
• Aligns offence, declaration, and form provisions to the new age (ss.281.3, 549.1, 384.3(3)(a); Clauses 4–6).
• Changes fundraising disclosure: attendees under 16 are not named; 16–17‑year‑olds may be named (s.384.3(3)(a); Clause 5).
• Takes effect on a date set by the Chief Electoral Officer if preparations are complete earlier, or otherwise about six months after royal assent (Coming into Force).

What it means for you#

• Households

  • 16–17‑year‑old Canadian citizens will be eligible to vote in federal elections and referenda once the Act is in force (Section 3; Clause 2; Regulation Schedule s.3; Clause 7).
  • 14–15‑year‑olds remain “future electors” who can be added to the register in advance; 16–17‑year‑olds will move to the main Register of Electors (s.2(1); Clause 1).
  • It will be an offence to vote if you know you are under 16 on polling day, or to induce someone under 16 to vote (s.281.3; Clause 4).

• Voters aged 16–17

  • You can vote in federal elections and referenda after the law takes effect. Existing ID and residence proof rules still apply; the solemn declaration language is updated to 16 (s.549.1(1)(b); Clause 6).
  • You may be named on public attendee lists for certain regulated fundraising events; only those under 16 are excluded from disclosure (s.384.3(3)(a); Clause 5).

• Election workers

  • The special exception allowing 16–17‑year‑olds to serve as certain election officers is repealed. Instead, anyone who is a qualified elector (now 16+) can be appointed under the general rules (s.22(5) repealed; Clause 3).

• Political parties and candidates

  • Reporting for regulated fundraising events must exclude attendees under 16 from published name lists; attendees 16–17 may be listed (s.384.3(3)(a) as amended; Clause 5).
  • Offence provisions and compliance checks tied to elector age shift from 18 to 16 (s.281.3; Clause 4).

• Timing

  • The law comes into force on a date published by the Chief Electoral Officer if preparations are finished earlier, or otherwise on the same calendar day roughly six months after royal assent (Coming into Force).

Expenses#

• Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• Key points

  • The bill contains no direct appropriation or new spending authority (Bill text).
  • It requires Elections Canada to update registers, forms, systems, and training to reflect age 16 (Clauses 1–6; Regulation change), but no cost estimate is provided in the bill.
  • Any change in per‑election operating costs or one‑time implementation costs: Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Expands the franchise by adding 16–17‑year‑old Canadian citizens to the federal electorate and to referendum voting (Section 3; Clause 2; Regulation Schedule s.3; Clause 7).
• Streamlines administration by removing the special carve‑out for appointing under‑18 election officers; all qualified electors (now 16+) are eligible under the general rule (s.22(5) repealed; Clause 3).
• Improves consistency across the Act by updating offence, declaration, and form provisions to the new age threshold (ss.281.3, 549.1, 384.3(3)(a); Clauses 4–6).
• Increases transparency for political fundraising by allowing publication of attendee names for those 16–17, while still protecting those under 16 (s.384.3(3)(a); Clause 5).
• Argue that enfranchising at 16 may strengthen long‑term civic participation; quantified turnout effects: Data unavailable.

Opponents' View#

• Raise implementation risk and cost concerns for Elections Canada to update systems, materials, and outreach; official cost estimates: Data unavailable (Bill text contains no fiscal detail).
• Note privacy and safeguarding concerns because 16–17‑year‑old attendees at regulated fundraising events may be publicly named; previously, all under‑18 were excluded (s.384.3(3)(a); Clause 5).
• Question whether 16‑year‑olds possess sufficient civic knowledge; evidence on voter competence at 16: Data unavailable.
• Warn of practical hurdles for some 16–17‑year‑olds to meet existing ID and address proof requirements; the bill does not change these rules (s.549.1(1)(b); Clause 6).
• Flag enforcement concerns about applying offence provisions to younger ages; note the offence requires knowing the person is underage (s.281.3; Clause 4).