Canadians living abroad can’t vote in federal elections: Appeal Court

TORONTO – Ontario’s top court has decided long-term expats have no right to vote in federal elections.

The Appeal Court ruling overturns an earlier decision that effectively enfranchised the group.

That means more than one million Canadians living abroad for more than five years cannot cast ballots.

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The Appeal Court accepted the government’s view that allowing the expats to vote was unfair to Canadians living in Canada.

The decision, however, was not unanimous, with one justice dissenting.

The case was brought by two Canadians living in the United States who argued they maintain strong ties to Canada.