Ottawa just took the right to vote from 1.4 million Canadians—will Drake be next?
An essay written by Canadian actor Donald Sutherland may have set a record for shares over at the Globe and Mail.
At the time of writing, the commentary on recent changes to Canadian voting eligibility was shared more than 90,000 times.
“My name is Donald Sutherland,” he writes. “My wife’s name is Francine Racette. We are Canadians. We each hold one passport. A Canadian passport. That’s it.”
The actor has stared in films spanning six decades, from The Dirty Dozen to The Hunger Games. He notes he is a recipient of the Order of Canada, the Governor-General’s Award, and a star on the Walk of Fame in Toronto.
“But I can’t vote,” Sutherland continues.
“Did you know that? If you don’t live here all the time you can’t vote. Americans who live abroad can vote. They can vote because they’re citizens! Citizens! But I can’t. Because why? Because I’m not a citizen? Because what happens to Canada doesn’t matter to me? Ask any journalist that’s ever interviewed me what nationality I proudly proclaim to have. Ask them. They’ll tell you. I am a Canadian. But I’m an expatriate and the Harper government won’t let expatriates participate in Canadian elections.”
Sutherland’s commentary is a reaction to a July 20 ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal to uphold an Elections Canada requirement for citizens to have lived in Canada within five years prior to an election. The restriction was originally introduced in 1993 but not strictly enforced until 2007 (citizens living abroad could previously reset their five-year clock with a quick visit). Then, in 2011, the new and more stringent rules were subject to a court challenge, which the federal Conservative government has fought ever since.
The Globe and Mail’s own Mark MacKinnon faces the same problem as Sutherland and penned a similar commentary a few days earlier, on July 24. (Some 15,000 people cared enough to share the article about his disenfranchisement.)
According to MacKinnon, an estimated 1.4 million Canadians have lost their right to vote. He name-drops a few. Among them, Wayne Gretzky, who lives in California, and Celine Dion, who resides in Las Vegas. We could add to the list William Shatner (Los Angeles), and Neil Young (La Honda), and so on.
What if Drake were to relocate to New Orleans to be closer to his label mates on Cash Money Records? Would Canada’s government deny Drake his vote?
Comments
10 Comments
We Got Conned
Jul 29, 2015 at 11:16am
This is a travesty that Canadians living overseas which could be for any number of reasons;
- Working abroad to support family in Canada, Journalist, Tech, Manufacturing etc etc,
- Studying under graduate to master to Ph.D. easily spans more than 5 years, because rich foreign students are taking spots from Canadians at local Universities, a lot of Canadians have to go abroad,
This is a silly Law and ought to be struck down.
The Cons they hate Democracy.
West Vanman
Jul 29, 2015 at 11:23am
It'd be fantastic if Drake could no longer vote actually: I see no evidence that he has a nuanced view of Canadian politics.
Neil Young hasn't lived in my country for over 30 years. Why should he have a say in how we run it? When was the last time he remitted his full Canadian tax burden?
Conned
Jul 29, 2015 at 11:35am
@West Vanman...very Reform Fundamental like much?
If you need evidence of 'nuanced view of Canadians politics' to vote as you say than you and most of the Cons Reformers would not pass that test.
And who told you that all of Canada is 'your Country'?
Vast swaths of Canada have another Legally recognised Nation living within it's borders some 'common' areas (Oceans etc shared with them as well).
Don't forget Québécois, they are trying to get their own Country within Canada as well.
They are called First Nations, many of whom live in and around West Vancouver.
How do you know how much Tax Neil Young pays? Taxation and Voting two separate issues.
People in Newfoundland and Quebec have a say in what happens in West Vancouver and BC, why not Neil Young ?
In fact Niel young lives in Northern California closer to us in BC than the majority of the Canadian population who live out east in Ontario and Quebec.
It's clear you yourself don't have 'nuanced' view of Canadian Politics.
Weelchair Jimmy
Jul 29, 2015 at 12:11pm
Sorry Drake to busy right ethering Meek Mill to respond to this, but maybe when he's done with that he can get something together and spit some fire at Harper and his cronies because man oh man do they ever need it on this issue.
Section 3 Charter of rights
Jul 29, 2015 at 1:00pm
Guarantees Canadian citizens the right to vote? So what is going on here?
To change the charter the federal Parliament and seven of the 10 provincial legislatures must agree to it. The population of those seven provinces must also make up at least 50 per cent of the total population of Canada.
So what is up here? Can someone explain, or can this be challenged?
Leigh McBain
Jul 30, 2015 at 12:21am
While I am very happy to know that Donald Sutherland considers himself Canadian and is apparently proud of it, I don't see that as having any impact on whether or not he should retain full voting privileges.
I don't see the answer here being nearly as cut and dry as the comments suggest.
"Conned" - while someone living in Califoria may be geographically closer to BC and potentially closer ideologically on the political spectrum as well, as a general rule they are not going to be as directly impacted by Canadian federal policy decisions as those living here and also may have personal agendas contrary to those of the general populace in-country. As a result of these factors these individuals likely should not have the same voting impact as someone who has continued to live here.
"Section 3" - if the right to vote is truly protected In the manner you suggest then the legislative change should be struck down and addressed in a more appropriate manner.
Maybe a viable alternative might make sense, such as a weighted vote, potentially scaled by the time you are away. I have an aunt and uncle who live in New Zealand and have for 40+ years; I am not sure I see the logic in their having the same voting clout as I do or my wife does, as we have continued living here in Canada and have for our entire lives.
As for studying out of country or workng out of country, the scaling or weighting of the vote would have less impact because the duration of the absence would theoretically be shorter and if it isn't that is a choice and your diminishing voting clout should be part of that choice process. If you are working out of country and your primary household remains here and your immediate family continues to reside here then that could potentially be taken into consideration, not to menton that your family would also still retain full voting capabilities.
Don't forget that your voting rights would be fully reinstated upon moving back.
Just some thoughts.
Fat Guy
Jul 30, 2015 at 9:18am
By itself, this more stringent application of previous rules is certainly debatable. I could understand it either way. Unfortunately, this change is just one element of a whole number of growing restrictions on the right to vote. Under the Conservatives, this right is increasingly being turned into a privilege, and furthermore a privilege which is under constant challenge. Their strategic aim - like the US Republicans - is to reduce the numbers of people who vote and take part in the democratic process. Over the long term, this strategy tends to gradually concentrate political power in the hands of higher income, more right-leaning people. Ironically, some mentioned in this article (Wayne Gretzky) are pro-Harper. But the Conservatives are looking at the big picture.
Daniel Gautreau
Jul 31, 2015 at 6:20am
A citizen is a citizen is a citizen. Except here, where some are 2nd class citizens.Inmates in our prisons can vote, but Wayne Gretzky cannot. The global village has global village idiots and Stephen Harper is one of them.
Ruth McVeigh
Aug 6, 2015 at 8:27am
So - if you're successful enough to make it in the tough American competition, Canada no longer wants you. How crazy is that! Well - Wayne, Celine, Donald, Drake...and the rest of you - we will vote Harper OUT and make it possible for you to be IN on the next election.
Ruth McVeigh
Aug 6, 2015 at 8:33am
There's the question of voting rights -- then there is the frightening thought that as I am 'eligible' for dual citizenship, I can be deported. I find this, (as someone born in Canada) very confusing. Can someone tell me if this is an accurate interpretation of a recent declaration by the Cons?