Citizenship delays do matter
Re: Citizenship delay no hardship, Letter May 23
Citizenship delay no hardship, Letter May 23
As a long-time permanent resident whose voting rights will likely languish in the ballooning citizenship backlog for years to come, I disagree with James Watt’s suggestion that citizenship delays are of little consequence.
To say that it does not matter whether hundreds of thousands of tax-paying residents are able to participate in the democracy of the community where they live, work and build their families, is to underestimate the value of that democracy.
Toronto’s 250,000 permanent residents have the power to sway an election. Toronto, a city which proclaims “diversity our strength,” has the power to say that their voices matter.
I applaud the City of Toronto for considering extending the municipal franchise to permanent residents. I hope the rest of Canada takes notice.
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