When we think of democracy, we think of the right to vote. A new legal decision strips Canadians living abroad of that privilege.

Canadian Expat Voting Rights

In 1997, Canadian courts ruled that expats away for more than five years didn’t have the right to vote in domestic elections. Expats returning to Canada could have their 5-year clock restarted, even if they home for only a short period. But that practice ended in 2007. In May 2014, a court ruled in favor of expats restored their right to vote. That decision was short lived, as this week, Ontario’s Court of Appeal overturned that ruling.

Expat Reactions

How do Canadian expats feel about the news? Asia News Weekly host, Steve Miller, speaks with Jon Dunbar (South Korea), Marie Frenette (South Korea), and Kevin O’Shea (Japan) to get their reaction to the ruling.

How do you feel? 

Should expats be allowed to vote on issues not only in their home country’s elections?Are there any limitations you’d put in place?

Please let me know your thoughts in comments, on Facebook, or Twitter.

Asia Now is a special feature of the Asia News Weekly podcast. 

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