The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says First Nation voter attendance will continue to drop unless the government makes changes to the voting process.
The federal government recently introduced The Fair Elections Act (Bill C-23), which requires all people to have a proof of residency in order to vote in an election.
“The most serious issue is proof of residency and the fact a qualified voter can only vouch for one person in a federal election,” said FSIN Vice-Chief Bobby Cameron. “The right to vote was finally given to Treaty First Nations in 1960, and now it seems as though this government is doing everything to take that privilege away.”
Vice-Chief Cameron says this act hinders many First Nation’s right to vote. He says many First Nations in the province don’t have a physical address on their identification.
“Why does the federal government want to make it an obstacle for First Nations people to vote, what are they afraid of,” said Cameron.
He says the government should be working to make it easier for First Nations to vote.
“Now whether that is through amendments or whatever that may be… the importance is there and the reality is a lot of First Nations people across Canada are seeing the importance in voting in the federal election.”
The Vice-Chief says the FSIN will continue to have ongoing meetings with the government on how to make it easier for First Nations to vote.
The upcoming federal election is expected in the fall.