As the city ramps up election efforts in the final days of campaigning, one man can only stand by and watch.
“There’s all these posters that say your vote is your voice,” said Scott Bernstein, a lawyer with Pivot Legal Society. “Well, my voice has been silenced.”
Because the 46-year-old is not a Canadian citizen, he can’t vote in municipal elections, according to the Vancouver Charter and School Act. He’s now claiming in court that the restriction violates his rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“There’s really no reason in my mind why people who live here – who have made Vancouver their home, have their kids in the schools, work and pay property taxes – can’t take part in the basic form of democracy,” said the lawyer, who moved to Vancouver from the States in 2006 to attend UBC. He argued it’s unfair those who own property in Vancouver but don’t live in B.C. are able to vote – but not those who live here.
“Some of the things they’re voting for – mayor, council, park board, school board – those decisions really affect the day-to-day reality of people who live here,” he said.
After being on a student permit for years, it took two years for Bernstein to secure permanent resident status. It will be another two years before he can apply for citizenship.
According to Statistics Canada, there are 74,000 immigrants in Vancouver city. That’s 13% of Vancouver’s population who aren’t eligible to vote, said Bernstein.
“It perpetuates the stereotype that immigrants don’t care about democracy and that they don’t participate but I think many of them do want to,” he said. “The way to integrate people into society, who come from all over the world, is to give them the experience of democracy and give it to them at a local level.”
Those interested in learning more about Bernstein’s court action can contact him at right2vote@redcedarlaw.com.
