Photo credit: www.cbc.ca
In the heart of Manhattan lies The Canuck, a sanctuary for Canadians that showcases a range of cultural memorabilia, including a large stuffed moose head, license plates from each province, and a golden maple leaf stamped on the floor.
Marketed as New York City’s “premier Canadian hockey and sports bar,” The Canuck has become a hub for Canadians in the city, especially when looking for hockey or baseball games that might not be available on U.S. television channels.
At this lively venue, CBC News connected with several New Yorkers who also happen to be eligible voters in the upcoming Canadian federal election. This election cycle has gained significant traction, primarily due to the nuanced dynamics of Canada’s relationship with the United States, including recent tariffs on Canadian products and former President Trump’s provocative suggestions about American expansion.
These New Yorkers are part of an outreach initiative led by the Canadian Association of New York (CANY), a group dedicated to networking and charitable endeavors. Their current goal is to inform Canadian expatriates about the voting process from abroad.
“Canadians overseas can only vote by mail, and it’s crucial to do this as early as possible—either by mailing it directly to Elections Canada or dropping it off at the consulate,” explained Reena Bhatt, one of the organization’s vice-presidents.
To ensure their votes count, ballots must arrive at Elections Canada by 6 p.m. ET on April 28, the day of the election. Meanwhile, applications for voting by special ballot must be submitted no later than April 22 at 6 p.m.
WATCH | New York-based group is seeing interest in election from Canadians living abroad:
New York group spreads the word on casting ballots
Reena Bhatt from CANY discusses the increasing engagement of expats in the federal election.
Approximately 4 Million Canadians Reside Outside Canada
While they refrained from revealing their voting preferences, Christine Hutton, Sandra Pike, and Sanjay Gopal expressed their reasons for participating in this election.
“Canada’s identity is under scrutiny right now, making it difficult to remain disengaged and not contribute,” noted Pike, a publishing professional originally from Newfoundland, who has lived in New York for over twenty years.
Gopal, an engineer with deep ties to Halifax, emphasized his commitment to representing the interests of his family back home. “I feel deeply invested in helping them make the choice that aligns with their preferences in their riding,” he stated.
Hutton, a biopharmaceutical consultant, remains connected to her homeland through a Canadian newspaper and follows the daily news closely. “My focus is increasingly on foreign policy and the implications for Canada’s relationship with the U.S., as well as its stances concerning global powers like China, India, Russia, and the current situation in Israel and Gaza,” said Hutton, who is from Ontario and has spent 25 years in New York.
There are around four million Canadians living internationally, with approximately 800,000 residing in the United States, including a significant number in New York City. However, historically, only a small fraction of expatriates vote, with just 27,000 casting ballots in the last federal election.
As the election approaches, Elections Canada has distributed 92,000 voting kits to Canadians abroad, with around 20,000 already returned.
‘Canada is Experiencing a Moment’
Bhatt of CANY remarked on a noticeable increase in interest and voter engagement for this election cycle.
The heightened focus on Canada-U.S. relations has drawn more inquiries from her American colleagues about Canada, including questions on how to vote and where to watch the election debates.
WATCH | Why some Canadian expats are eager to vote:
Canadian expats eager to vote in election from abroad
Canadians in New York City articulate their commitment to participating in the upcoming federal election.
Typically, discussions involving Canadians living abroad are rare within the broader national narrative. John Stackhouse authored a book in 2020 titled Planet Canada: How Our Expats Are Shaping the Future where he emphasized this gap in strategic engagement with the diaspora.
“Canadians need to be more deliberate in maintaining connections with their expat populations and facilitating their involvement in national matters,” he advised during an interview. He believes that proactive engagement with expatriates can be beneficial as Canada navigates its future in the face of changing international dynamics.
In this context, Pike echoed the sentiments of the broader expat community. “Canada is kind of having a moment,” she said. “Those of us living abroad want to actively participate in shaping and amplifying this narrative.”
For those Canadians who have already cast their ballots from afar, Bhatt offers reassurance: “We’re with you, shoulder to shoulder. We care about the same issues and aim to act as your ambassadors across the globe.”
Source
www.cbc.ca