Granting Indigenous Peoples the Official Right to Vote | The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government

On March 31st, 1960, the Deputy Governor General, on behalf of Her Majesty, gave royal assent to An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, which repealed portions of Section 14(2) of the Act and granted the federal vote to status Indians.
This is the record of the House of Commons Debate of this day where the policy change was officially declared in the House and which gave Indigenous peoples the right to vote in 1962.
Despite this change in policy, there are differing opinions with regards to voting among Indigenous peoples across Canada.
To some, it is seen as going against principles of self-government and others see it as an important way to participate in Canada's democratic process.
Moreover, many criticize Prime Minister Diefenbaker's decision to change policies that directly impact First Nations, without any meaningful consultation with them.
Following the debate that gave Indigenous peoples the right to vote with no strings attached, Prime Minister Diefenbaker appointed James Gladstone to the Senate, which was the first time an Indigenous member was appointed to the Senate.

Citation

Canada. Parliament. House of Commons Debates, 24th Parliament, 3rd sess., vol. 3, p. 2669. March 31, 1960. Accessed August 4, 2022. https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2403_03/227