I just remembered something else I was going to say that had me fuming yesterday...
I was watching a Global news story about the residents of Vancouver and the plebiscite on whether the Olympics is wanted in that city in 2010.
Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell is quoted as saying ""I've given you the chance, and there is this idea that somehow this [plebiscite] isn't fair... Well, everybody in this city that's a resident can vote, so get out there and vote." This angers me! Why? Please continue reading...
Last weekend, while I was visiting friends who hold permanent resident status in Vancouver, I called the Olympic Vote Info Line to ask on their behalf if they were eligible to vote. I was told that because they were not Canadian citizens, they were not eligible EVEN THOUGH they own property in the city AND they have children who were born in Canada and are Canadian by nationality. I found this absurd! It's just a bloody vote for the Olympics!
There are those out there who believe that all permanent residents SHOULD become Canadians after being in the country. However, there are things like, if they give up their citizenship in their country of origin, they will lose entitlement to any pensions from that country. I know of many people who are in this situation. America and Japan are just a couple of those countries that make it difficult to access pensions if one changes their citizenship. I know that I would have to think twice if I worked in my home country and would be in danger of earning the pension that I worked for.
What is more is that Larry Campbell, an elected official should say something that is so misleading! Not all residents can vote. Only the Canadian citizens can!
I don't know about you but I think that if you are a permanent resident, have been here for over a certain period of time, own property, have children and PAY TAXES, that you should have more rights than someone who is just visiting here. There are many wonderful people who have decided that Canada is a great place to live and they work hard to live here. I think that they should at least be given rights to vote on a municipal level. After all, they contribute to the tax base. Perhaps all permanent residents should stop paying taxes. How would Mr. Campbell like that?
I suppose that is enough ranting for now. It's time to call up the local media and get them stirred up now...
I was watching a Global news story about the residents of Vancouver and the plebiscite on whether the Olympics is wanted in that city in 2010.
Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell is quoted as saying ""I've given you the chance, and there is this idea that somehow this [plebiscite] isn't fair... Well, everybody in this city that's a resident can vote, so get out there and vote." This angers me! Why? Please continue reading...
Last weekend, while I was visiting friends who hold permanent resident status in Vancouver, I called the Olympic Vote Info Line to ask on their behalf if they were eligible to vote. I was told that because they were not Canadian citizens, they were not eligible EVEN THOUGH they own property in the city AND they have children who were born in Canada and are Canadian by nationality. I found this absurd! It's just a bloody vote for the Olympics!
There are those out there who believe that all permanent residents SHOULD become Canadians after being in the country. However, there are things like, if they give up their citizenship in their country of origin, they will lose entitlement to any pensions from that country. I know of many people who are in this situation. America and Japan are just a couple of those countries that make it difficult to access pensions if one changes their citizenship. I know that I would have to think twice if I worked in my home country and would be in danger of earning the pension that I worked for.
What is more is that Larry Campbell, an elected official should say something that is so misleading! Not all residents can vote. Only the Canadian citizens can!
I don't know about you but I think that if you are a permanent resident, have been here for over a certain period of time, own property, have children and PAY TAXES, that you should have more rights than someone who is just visiting here. There are many wonderful people who have decided that Canada is a great place to live and they work hard to live here. I think that they should at least be given rights to vote on a municipal level. After all, they contribute to the tax base. Perhaps all permanent residents should stop paying taxes. How would Mr. Campbell like that?
I suppose that is enough ranting for now. It's time to call up the local media and get them stirred up now...
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