TORONTO – Ontario’s top court begins grappling today with the issue of whether long-term Canadian expats should have the right to vote.
Ottawa is appealing a lower court ruling that says they do have that right.
In that earlier decision, a judge declared a section of the Canada Elections Act unconstitutional.
That section barred those living abroad for more than five years from voting in federal elections.
Ottawa says the restriction is justified in a free and democratic society.
Two expats, however, argue the five-year cut-off is arbitrary and unreasonable.
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