Resource for Voters from Newcomer Communities

April 2, 2025

Author

Zeina Seaifan

Hello/Bonjour! My name is Zeina Seaifan and my pronouns are she/her/elle. I reside in Tiohtiá:ke / Mooniyang / Montreal, the unceded treaty territory of the Kanien’kéha Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Anishinaabeg. A daughter of Arab-immigrant parents, I have many fond memories of playing, living, learning, and breathing on this land and am happiest when connecting with nature, specifically including Lake Ontarí’io.At the same time, I’ve grown up keenly aware of the disconnect I hold between myself and my homeland in Lebanon, where I had little opportunity to behold the Lebanese cedars in person, swim the Mediterranean Sea, or hike the green valleys due to climate change, environmental degradation, overexploitation, warfare, colonialism, and Western imperialism. Thus, in recognizing the paralleling (but not exact!) environmental justice movements between what many Indigenous communities recognize as Turtle Island and the Levant, I would like to recognize the immense privilege I have had as a settler to grow on and enjoy these traditional lands.I would specifically like to acknowledge how my cherished memories were made possible by more than three centuries of colonialism and land theft in which settler government officials conducted unjust land acquisition treaties with the Mohawk and Algonquin peoples, who still live on this land and whose livelihood continue to be shaped by these colonial legacies. I also want to recognize the stolen labour of marginalized peoples, including but not limited to 2SLGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, and other communities of colour who have been enslaved and displaced on this same territory and whose contributions to Canada as a settler state are often overlooked.As both a student and a second-generation immigrant, I am immensely familiar with the challenges of navigating systems not designed with these communities in mind. At the same time, I recognize the immense privilege I carry with me as a white-passing, able-bodied and cis-presenting woman. Then, rather than intending to speak on behalf of any communities I identify with, I hope to use my unique privilege here to bolster historically excluded voices, including students and newcomer communities, in the fight for climate justice through SUTE, while continuing to move forward on the path to partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation.

Editor

Mei-Ling Patterson, Anna Huschka

Significance of Voters from Newcomer Communities

Immigrants are Canada’s engine. You fill critical gaps in healthcare, tech, and skilled trade – over 75% of Canada’s population growth comes from newcomers (1)! Immigrant-owned businesses employ thousands, with immigrants accounting for 32% of all business owners (2). Your vote ensures policies that support fair wages, smoother family reunification, and recognition of your skills. Your vote also ensures leaders prioritize your community’s needs, from affordable housing to accessible healthcare to language support.

Key Issues

Rent in gateway immigration cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver increased by 10-20% since 2021, disproportionately affecting newcomers (3).
In some provinces, current wait times for family reunification applications can stretch to over 3 years (4).
The cost of becoming a Canadian citizen has increased by 50% since 2014, now totalling $630 per adult (5).
Many newcomers face delays in accessing healthcare due to long wait times, geographic access, economic barriers, and language barriers (6).

Barriers and Challenges

“I don’t understand the voting process well”

According to the 2021 federal election data, 16% of Canadian citizens who immigrated within the last 10 years cited electoral process-related reasons (e.g. not being able to prove identity or address or lacking voting information) for not voting, compared to 7% of Canadian citizens by birth (7). Furthermore, only 67% of newcomer Canadian citizens felt informed about when, where, and how to vote in the election in comparison to Canadians by birth (74%) (8).
If you’re a Canadian citizen (including naturalized citizens), you can vote (8)! To vote, you can show either a driver’s license or any Canadian government card that has your photo, name, and address. Alternatively, you can provide 2 pieces of ID, with one that includes your address, such as a health card and bank statement (9). Finally, you can declare your identity in writing and have someone vouch for you at the polls (9). If you’re a permanent resident or temporary resident, you can’t vote, but you can still support the process by encouraging eligible friends and family to participate.

“I don’t speak English and/or French well”

In 2021, the Census data reported that 4.6 million Canadians or 12.6% of the population primarily spoke a language other than French or English at home (10).
Elections Canada provides voting guides in over 30 languages, including Punjabi, Mandarin, Arabic, and more (11). Interpretation services are also offered at all Elections Canada offices during federal elections. This includes over-the-phone services which are available in over 100 languages (11). You can also bring a trusted friend or family member to assist you at the polls.

“I’m too busy and unable to get to the polls on election day ”

When polled in 2021, 45% of new citizens with immigrant backgrounds reported not voting due to everyday life or health reasons, such as being too busy, out of town, or having an illness and/or disability (8).
There are many flexible voting options to make participation easier. Advance voting days allow you to cast your ballot before election day. Mail-in voting ensures that you can vote from anywhere. Accessibility services such as language interpretation, and assistive technology help accommodate diverse needs (12). These options make it easier to participate and have your voice heard, even with a busy schedule or other commitments!

“I don’t feel that my vote makes a difference”

In the 2021 federal election, 35% of long-term eligible immigrants and 22% of recent newcomer Canadians who chose not to vote mentioned a lack of interest in politics (8).
These sentiments can lead to voter apathy as you may feel disconnected from the political process. However, your vote is powerful for enacting change! Engaging with community organizations, attending town hall meetings, and connecting with local representatives can also increase your sense of political efficacy by advocating for policies that reflect your priorities. Even if the candidate you support doesn’t win, the growing support for different policies or platforms signals to policymakers and decision-makers which issues matter most to voters, encouraging them to take action on those concerns.