Members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation living on reserve land surrounded by the City of Nanaimo may soon be able to vote for Nanaimo’s mayor and council.
The City of Nanaimo and Snuneymuxw have requested support from the province to initiate a change to the city’s municipal boundaries to include reserve land, which could take effect for the Oct. election.
“The city boundary amendment allows Snuneymuxw to finally participate in local municipal elections since the incorporation of Nanaimo in 1874. That is 152 years of Snuneymuxw forced exclusion,” said Snuneymuxw Chief Michael Wyse. “That is 152 years of oppression and prejudicial treatment of our people based on the colour of our skin, our culture and our way of being. Today we are announcing a decision that helps correct injustice. We are taking a step to confront and dismantle racism directed at Snuneymuxw people.”
The change would affect only voting boundaries and would have no impact on property tax, land use or city services. Mayor Leonard Krog said it is a straightforward step to deal with a historic anomaly.
“I remember being surprised as I suspect most citizens in Nanaimo will actually be surprised to know that you live half a mile from city hall and you don’t get to vote for those people who occupy it. It just doesn’t make any sense,” he said.
Currently, Snuneymuxw members living on reserve land surrounded by the City of Nanaimo vote only in Regional District of Nanaimo area elections and school board elections, but they do not vote for mayor and council. Snuneymuxw members living off reserve within the city can vote in municipal elections.
Wyse said there are about 800 members living on reserve lands who could be affected by the change.
The city will conduct public engagement and will need electoral approval for the change. That can be obtained through an alternate approval process (AAP) or a referendum.
Nanaimo city council will discuss approving an AAP at its Feb. 23 meeting.
