Immigrant Support, Access To Employment Top Issues For N.B. Residents Who Can’t Vote
MONCTON – The top election issue for immigrants with permanent resident status in New Brunswick is more immigrant support and representation, followed by economic growth and equal access to employment in second place, according to the Lost Votes survey conducted by Dialogue NB.
The third key issue is accessible healthcare. Other issues on the minds of permanent residents include the quality and cost of education, affordable housing, and concerns over racism.
The initiative is done in partnership with the New Brunswick Multicultural Council to give a voice to immigrants who don’t have the right to vote. The survey was initiated by Dialogue NB board member and entrepreneur Asif Hasan, who is a permanent resident himself.
“Once you fall in love with something, you want to be a part of it, to feel a sense of belonging, and that is how I feel about New Brunswick,” said Hasan, the CEO of Simptek Technologies and a foster parent, in a release.
“I have lived here for eight years, helped create jobs, contribute to the economy, and pay my share of taxes. Yet my vote does not count. This is true for 13,000 permanent residents. New Brunswick is great at welcoming immigrants. But what about treating them equally in a process that is supposed to be about equality?” he said.
Respondents of the survey range between 18 and 64 years old, living mostly in Fredericton, Moncton, Dieppe and Saint John. However,t the poll also received responses from Miramichi, Basswood Ridge, Shediac, Dalhousie and Bathurst, among others.
The survey was also shared with eligible voters. The results show they share many of the same concerns as permanent residents, with healthcare and economic growth on the top spots, while attracting and retaining immigrants also ranking high. Eligible votes were also concerned about systemic racism and inequality.
The push to allow permanent residents who are not yet citizens to vote municipally and provincially has been going on for years in different parts of Canada, including in New Brunswick.
The New Brunswick Multicultural Council and its current president, Moncef Lakouas, were among those championing the cause in the province. Various municipalities, including Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, Edmundston, and others supported the move.
Lakouas said in the release that the survey “will help continue and broaden the conversation,” and he plans to continue advocating for the cause with elected representatives and community leaders province-wide.
Dialogue NB CEO Nadine Duguay-Lemay said in the release that the hope is, by sharing the results of the survey, it can “give a voice to those that feel voiceless in the upcoming election, as well as the municipal election next year.”
She hopes the initiative will “shine a little light on an issue that prevents a valuable sector of our population from participating in decisions that impact them.”
Permanent residents live, work and pay taxes in the province. They also receive most health care coverage and most social benefits that citizens get. There was once a time that they were allowed to vote in municipal elections, but that right was removed when changes were made to the Municipal Elections Act in 1998.
Given the importance of population growth and retention through immigration, in 2017, an electoral reform commission under Premier Brian Gallant’s government made 23 recommendations that included allowing permanent residents to vote in municipal and provincial elections, as well as seek public office. However, those recommendations have not been adopted.
While the Lost Votes survey is now closed, those involved with it plan to create similar programs and campaigns.
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