Artifact #3:Canada Gazette. Vol. 51, no. 12, Regular Issue, September 22, 1917.

Citation:

Canada Gazette. Vol. 51, no. 12, Regular Issue, September 22, 1917. Library and Archives Canada, Item ID number: 4826. https://beta-recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Record?app=cangaz&IdNumber=4826&q_type_1=q&q_1=The%20Canada%20Gazette&ecopy=cgc_p1-2_v051_n012_t000_000_19170922_p00001_z00899

Label:

After the Union Government was elected, they passed two important acts in relation to Canadian voting rights. The first was the Military Voters Act, which allowed for anyone who was in service of the Canadian military to vote. The second was the Wartime Elections Act, which enabled the female relatives of any soldiers overseas to vote. These acts both gave women greater voting rights, and highlights how the war pushed for change in domestic problems at home. The artifact is from the Canadian Gazette from September 22, 1917, and the issue informs Canadians with a list of motions that were enacted, and both the Military Voters Act and Wartime Election Act are listed as being assented. The Governor General speaks on both of these acts in his speech, and states that Canadians have recognized their duty in enabling those engaged in defense of their country, and that these acts are necessary adjustments to make legislation relevant to the matters at hand. This artifact highlights how World War I paved the way to greater voting opportunities for a larger number of Canadians.

Bibliography:

English, John. "Wartime Elections Act" The Canadian Encyclopedia. Last modified May 7, 2021. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/wartime-elections-act