A prisoner can vote but an expat cannot???

[CanadianCountry]

So is this true that a prisoner gets to keep his/her right to vote, but an expat loses his.

 

[on-hold]

Well, the prisoner has a much more intense and complicated ongoing relationship with Canada . . .

 

[screech339]

So is this true that a prisoner gets to keep his/her right to vote, but an expat loses his.

This is not new at all. This rule was brought on by the liberals in 1993. The expat loses after 5 years. How come you were not complaining about it back in 93 when it became law by the liberals.

Besides a prisoner is a resident of Canada. That's the key word. A RESIDENT of Canada, where as an expat is not.

 

[JGK]

So is this true that a prisoner gets to keep his/her right to vote, but an expat loses his.

Why would you want to have a say in the politics of a country you have left to go elsewhere?

I can vote in the UK (if i wish to). However, since I left the UK fo Canada in 2001, I think it a bit hypocritical for me to use my vote to affect a political system which will have no effect on me. That, in my opinion, should be left to citizens still resident in the UK. If I move back, I'll start voting again.

 

[keesio]

So is this true that a prisoner gets to keep his/her right to vote, but an expat loses his.

If the expat is filing Canadian taxes, then he/she would still be able to vote since they will be considered a resident of Canada even though they don't live there.

 

[CanadianCountry]

Filing taxes has nothing to do with voting. An expat can file taxes and still not have the right to vote.

If the expat is filing Canadian taxes, then he/she would still be able to vote since they will be considered a resident of Canada even though they don't live there.

 

[CanadianCountry]

Screech,
Your logic is beyond common comprehension.

So a "RESIDENT" rapist, pedophile, murderer, and other residents who have committed vile crimes are fine to vote; but a proud Canadian expat who is creating jobs, paying taxes, committed to help good cause Canadian charities is barred from voting.

Good luck with your logic.

This is not new at all. This rule was brought on by the liberals in 1993. The expat loses after 5 years. How come you were not complaining about it back in 93 when it became law by the liberals.

Besides a prisoner is a resident of Canada. That's the key word. A RESIDENT of Canada, where as an expat is not.

 

[CanadianCountry]

Why would you want to have a say?

First let UK pull off voting rights for expats then maybe it will be a good starting point for this conversation.

Why would you want to have a say in the politics of a country you have left to go elsewhere?

I can vote in the UK (if i wish to). However, since I left the UK fo Canada in 2001, I think it a bit hypocritical for me to use my vote to affect a political system which will have no effect on me. That, in my opinion, should be left to citizens still resident in the UK. If I move back, I'll start voting again.

 

[polara69]

Screech,
Your logic is beyond common comprehension.

but a proud Canadian expat who is creating jobs, paying taxes, committed to help good cause Canadian charities is barred from voting.

Good luck with your logic.

And YOUR logic makes sense then? If I am not in the country, then why continue voting? I left Switzerland 16 years ago, still entitled in voting there, but would never do it... Why would I want to?

 

[CanadianCountry]

You didn't voted, your choice. You don't get to decide for others.

And YOUR logic makes sense then? If I am not in the country, then why continue voting? I left Switzerland 16 years ago, still entitled in voting there, but would never do it... Why would I want to?

 

[CanadianCountry]

Voting rights – Swiss living abroad
If you are a Swiss living abroad and wish to vote at federal level you have to be registered at a Swiss diplomatic mission and be on the electoral roll of a Swiss commune (your commune of origin or former commune of residence). You can also take part in elections to the National Council. However, you can only take part in elections to the Council of States if your local cantonal law permits.

You had voting rights as an expat, but didn't exercised it. Can you be 100% sure, that no Swiss expat ever voted in any of the elections ever. And if they voted, as per you their vote should not be counted.

And YOUR logic makes sense then? If I am not in the country, then why continue voting? I left Switzerland 16 years ago, still entitled in voting there, but would never do it... Why would I want to?

 

[keesio]

Filing taxes has nothing to do with voting. An expat can file taxes and still not have the right to vote.

Actually... no. If you are an expat who is deemed to be a tax resident for all those years outside Canada and having been filing/paying your taxes, then you can be considered a resident of Canada and have the right to vote. You might have to show proofs and such but it is fairly easy to prove from what I understand since you can just show your NoA (Notice of Assessment) from CRA. I know this because I have a friend who lives abroad but files his taxes because of all his ties to Canada. He can vote and has voted in the past despite living abroad for many many years.

 

[MiriamT]

Screech,
Your logic is beyond common comprehension.

So a "RESIDENT" rapist, pedophile, murderer, and other residents who have committed vile crimes are fine to vote; but a proud Canadian expat who is creating jobs, paying taxes, committed to help good cause Canadian charities is barred from voting.

Good luck with your logic.

CanadianCountry, voting in Canada is a constitutionally protected right for Canadian citizens (see excerpt below). Those citizens who were or are incarcerated or otherwise in trouble with the law are still citizens, and should not have access to their civil rights denied.

What one could argue in court (perhaps successfully, once it reaches the SCC) is that this law is unconstitutional, that the Charter specifically states "[e]very Citizen of Canada has the right to vote," not only those who are resident.

"Democratic Rights

Democratic rights of citizens

3. Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein."

Source: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html

 

[screech339]

Screech,
Your logic is beyond common comprehension.

So a "RESIDENT" rapist, pedophile, murderer, and other residents who have committed vile crimes are fine to vote; but a proud Canadian expat who is creating jobs, paying taxes, committed to help good cause Canadian charities is barred from voting.

Good luck with your logic.

It is unfortunately that they do vote as a lot of people believe they lost the right to vote as prisoners, even rapists, pedophiles, and murderers. However they do because they are Canadian and a RESIDENT of Canada. I didn't make the rules.

As much as you and I personally don't like it, we can't let emotions cloud our judgment over the fact that prisoners are Canadian and RESIDENTS of Canada, thus have a right to vote.

 

[neutral]

Screech,
Your logic is beyond common comprehension.

So a "RESIDENT" rapist, pedophile, murderer, and other residents who have committed vile crimes are fine to vote; but a proud Canadian expat who is creating jobs, paying taxes, committed to help good cause Canadian charities is barred from voting.

Good luck with your logic.

There is not a MORAL EXAM to determine who can vote and who not. If you beat your mother you have the same right to vote that who helps and respect his mother. If you give $5K to charity every month, you have the same right to vote than those who has never given charity to anyone his whole life.