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Donald Sutherland blasts ruling on long-term expats' right to vote


Misc CDN | 207715 hits | Jul 29 7:54 am | Posted by: DrCaleb
9 Comment

Veteran actor Donald Sutherland has joined a group of long-term expats critical of the residency limits of Canada's voting laws, amid a recent decision that affects those who have lived abroad for more than five years.

Comments

  1. by shockedcanadian
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:26 pm
    This is a tricky situation as far as I am concerned. Donald is a bit unique in that he is only a Canadian citizen, however, where is his primary residence?

    I can see his argument, but I also think of the counter argument, "why should someone who isn't in any way (or minimally) impacted be able to vote the government that is impacting the rest of the country?" If he lives here primarily, pays taxes, the vote he cast has a personal consequence . As it is, he was born here, he's a proud Canadian, great, to say these things and move to another country is talking the talk not walking the walk.

  2. by avatar DrCaleb
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:30 pm
    "shockedcanadian" said
    This is a tricky situation as far as I am concerned. Donald is a bit unique in that he is only a Canadian citizen, however, where is his primary residence?


    The 80-year-old, Saint John-born Sutherland continues by outlining his Canuck credentials, from the fact that he spends as much time living in Canada as he can and that his "family house" is in Canada to some of accolades he's received, such as the Order of Canada, the Governor General's Performing Arts Award and a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.


    "shockedcanadian" said

    I can see his argument, but I also think of the counter argument, "why should someone who isn't in any way (or minimally) impacted be able to vote the government that is impacting the rest of the country?" If he lives here primarily, pays taxes, the vote he cast has a personal consequence . As it is, he was born here, he's a proud Canadian, great, to say these things and move to another country is talking the talk not walking the walk.


    "My name is Donald Sutherland. My wife's name is Francine Racette. We are Canadians. We each hold one passport. A Canadian passport. That's it,"


    "Americans who live abroad can vote. They can vote because they're 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."

  3. by avatar uwish
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:40 pm
    then if he wants to, he can pay Canada tax on his income, just like the US demands of it's citizens living abroad. I am sure his income threshold is high to trigger the payment if he is so patriotic.

  4. by avatar ShepherdsDog
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:55 pm
    Despite paying property tax on two properties and income tax on income earned through investments, my wife and I weren't allowed to vote in the last federal election due to the five year rule.

  5. by avatar uwish
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:03 pm
    do you live in the US? if you do, you have a horrible accountant.

  6. by avatar ShepherdsDog
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:21 pm
    No, we've been back in Canada since the end of 2012. We had to pay income tax on investment income....didn't pay anything on income earned overseas.

  7. by avatar ccga3359
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:52 pm
    "ShepherdsDog" said
    No, we've been back in Canada since the end of 2012. We had to pay income tax on investment income....didn't pay anything on income earned overseas.


    Well now that you're back you can stump for Justin and get this law changed.

  8. by avatar CDN_PATRIOT
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:26 pm
    Donald Sutherland is an idiot. He blames the Harper government for a law that was passed in 1993? Seriously? That was Jean Chretien territory, or at the very minimal, Kim Campbell. Regardless, several governments ago.

    Just another old man griping about something because of all that spare time he has.

    -J.

  9. by avatar BartSimpson Gold Member
    Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:46 pm
    "CDN_PATRIOT" said
    Donald Sutherland is an idiot.


    Yep. He's also a pretty decent "B" actor.



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