Dear Mr Harper,
I received your letter today. It informed me that I am no longer allowed to vote in Canadian elections--unless, of course, I meet a list of very specific criteria and have the official, letter-headed, documentation to prove it.
I left Canada almost five years ago because I was unable to find a full-time job in my hometown--or even my home province. Any chance of finding a job meant moving thousands of kilometers away, to northern or western Canada; separating myself from my family, friends and everything familiar. Instead, I moved to England. I was given a full-time job, straight out of university, which is almost unheard of as a new teacher. I could live in a new country, travel Europe, experience new adventures and see if it really did rain all the time in England.
Why would I come home? Why would I give up a full-time, guaranteed, job for putting my name on a supply list where I could, maybe, possibly, if the wind blows in the right direction, get an odd day of work, here and there, all the while working in a field that has nothing to do with my degree? I've made friends here, I've adopted a pet, bought a car, traveled, met a loving boyfriend and find myself actually being recruited for work in my specialized field--even though I'm already employed, full-time.
For 23 years, I lived in Canada. When I began work I dutifully paid taxes. I didn't quite understand how it worked, where my money went or how it was completely calculated, but I did so. Moreover, I did so happily and, in return, was given free health care, democracy and citizenship to what, I considered, the greatest nation in the world. When I turned 18, I registered to vote and participated, with millions of others, in provincial and federal elections. Sadly, all our efforts weren't enough to keep you out of Parliament, Mr Harper
Every time an election was called, I voted. I knew my vote would never be make-or-break for the next Premier or Prime Minister; it was the action, the participating and exercising my democratic right, that I felt most important. When I moved to England, I made sure to register as an international voter. I may no longer be in Canada, but it is still the country I plan to return to; I still call Canada my home. Surely, if I still hold my Canadian citizenship, I should still have a say in who runs the country?
No.
That's because of your choices and your "ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal, which took immediate effect", Mr Harper. Perhaps you have realized that all of us ex-pats around the world must have left Canada for a reason? For myself: no job opportunities, a line of credit to pay off and no future if I didn't make the choice to move. Possibly, just possibly, us ex-pats might hold the government, at least partially, responsible for moving. The budget cuts. The actions taken that limit the protection of our wilderness. The rising cost of buying a house--something a student with thousands of dollars to pay off could only ever dream of, especially if they cannot get a job in the first place.
You have taken our vote, our voices away, Mr Harper. When I read the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, I see section 3: "Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of the members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein."
Now, there are apparently exceptions to this. Stipulations introduced. You can vote abroad, but only if...I have exceeded my time limit for being away from home and, therefore, can no longer vote. There will be thousands who agree with this--I don't live in the country day to day, I don't have apersonal connection with my local MP and, fair point. My question though is why, when thousands choose not to vote while they live in Canada, should I have someone decide that I don't wish to either? Why do I lose a constitutional right because I chose to move away and secure a future for myself?
The government voted in will change the economy, policies on foreign relations, the national budget and the list goes on and on. These bills, policies and laws introduced will change the country that I left five short years ago--and want to return to--into something a little bit different with every election. Who is to say whether it will be for the better or worse? I suppose that could have been the voters. All of them. Citizens and 'ex-pats' alike.
Mr Harper, I do have a voice. I had a vote. Thanks to you, I only have one of those now. I only hope that those who still have their votes choose to send you a message as well: your time is over.
