You can actually vote in a municipal election as PR

[ZingyDNA]

The biggest irony is that the US is one of two countries that will tax based on citizenship instead of residency. Hence US citizens abroad need to file/pay taxes without representation!

Well, don't overseas US citizens get to vote in the presidential election? I guess they don't get to vote in the house/senate elections as they don't live in the states..

 

[keesio]

Well, don't overseas US citizens get to vote in the presidential election? I guess they don't get to vote in the house/senate elections as they don't live in the states..

We don't have an actual representative (senator/congressman) who specifically represents overseas Americans. We get lumped into the last state we lived in. That is not true representation. If you look at the colonists' protest to the King, it was specifically that there was no person who represents the English citizens abroad in America.

 

[zardoz]

We don't have an actual representative (senator/congressman) who specifically represents overseas Americans. We get lumped into the last state we lived in. That is not true representation. If you look at the colonists' protest to the King, it was specifically that there was no person who represents the English citizens abroad in America.

And we all know how well that turned out...

 

[ZingyDNA]

We don't have an actual representative (senator/congressman) who specifically represents overseas Americans. We get lumped into the last state we lived in. That is not true representation. If you look at the colonists' protest to the King, it was specifically that there was no person who represents the English citizens abroad in America.

Oh I see what you're saying. But the situation is quite different though: the overseas Americans now are spreaded over many countries/region where the US has no jurisdiction over, so even if there were representatives for you who can pass laws/policies, how could they enforce any of them on foreign soil? If the colonists back then had representatives in the British parliament, they could pass laws to be enforced on American soil (that belonged to the Empire), right?

 

[dpenabill]

And we all know how well that turned out...

Assuming you meant NOT so well . . . which may be more a reflection of my perception, tending to think of that place as among the S*hole countries in the world.

As for taxation:

Temporary workers are taxed in almost all jurisdictions where they work (unless locals are not taxed either) and have NO right to vote in almost all jurisdictions where they work.

U.S. citizens residing and working in Canada will ordinarily NOT have to pay U.S. taxes, but they are required to file a non-resident return. Some exceptions apply.

The principle "no taxation without representation" has never, not so far as I am aware, held much if any sway. It was more or less a rhetorical banner and self-justifying excuse for brigands, rogues, and insurgents engaging in criminal behavior (such as vandalizing a private ship and wantonly destroying cargo). In contrast, there are extensive and intrusive forms of taxation pervasive throughout the world in situations where those taxed have no representation at all in the authority imposing the tax . . . just consider sales taxes for example, which tourists and temporary residents of almost every stripe must pay.

 

[keesio]

U.S. citizens residing and working in Canada will ordinarily NOT have to pay U.S. taxes, but they are required to file a non-resident return. Some exceptions apply.

And those exceptions add up as your financial situation becomes more complex.

It is actually the side effect of US taxation laws that is worse than the actual tax obligations itself. The accountant fees, foreign banks refusing to take on American clients (not a big issue in Canada but major issue for Americans abroad), impact on small business owners, being essentially denied opportunity of other basic investment vehicles, etc. In any case, this is a whole different topic not appropriate for an immigration forum.

 

[keesio]

the overseas Americans now are spreaded over many countries/region where the US has no jurisdiction over, so even if there were representatives for you who can pass laws/policies, how could they enforce any of them on foreign soil?

There are certain issues that commonly impact Americans who do not live on US soil. These issues pertain strictly to US rules and regulations that do not require interfering with laws of foreign countries. Unfortunately, with no specific representation, they are seldom addressed.

Being represented by the state I last lived in doesn't make sense. Why should I be able to influence elections in a particular state I have not resided in over 18 years?

Ok this my last off-topic post on this.

 

[scorph]

There was a local municipal election where I live, and I was told permanent residence could actually vote. Did not know that!

Not true!
Only Canadian citizens have the right to vote regardless of the type of elections.
Now, I heard stories of PRs who were mistakenly sent voter information cards, however I’m not sure if they had actually voted.