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Americans in Canada urge fellow expats to vote in high-stakes midterm elections
Americans in Canada urge fellow expats to vote
American Democrats living in Canada are prepared to shout their political choices from the rooftops ahead of next month's midterm elections — while some of those who back Republican candidates seem leery of speaking out fearing a backlash from their neighbours.
Tammy Wilsker Mermelstein, a Texas voter who moved to the Greater Toronto Area last year, will be voting in a U.S. election from Canada for the first time.
While she used to be a Republican and voted that way until 2016, Wilsker Mermelstein said she has never voted for U.S. President Donald Trump. She said it's crucial for people to vote this year as "Texas is in play."
"Texas has not elected a Democrat in high office for at least two decades, probably longer, and this is the first solid chance," she said. "They say every vote counts. This is really going to be an election where every vote matters, even in states where people aren't used to having their vote matter if they're in the minority."
Americans head to the polls on Nov. 3 for midterm elections which could see the Democrats seize control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives from the Republicans. Democratic control of one or both chambers could significantly alter the path of Trump's presidency, including the possibility of new impeachment proceedings against him, and investigations of some of his key allies and agency heads.
Expat participation in U.S. elections is typically low, though the Federal Voting Assistance Program estimates there were more than 430,000 eligible U.S. voters in Canada as of 2024.
The organization estimates turnout among Americans in Canada was about 10 per cent in the 2024 general election, while the domestic voting rate that year was about 76 per cent. The organization estimates the overall turnout among all eligible overseas U.S. citizens at 11 per cent.
Kathryn Sikkink, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School who has volunteered with the U.S. Vote Foundation, said participation in voting abroad may be low because some citizens find it difficult. Some, she said, don't even realize they're eligible to vote.
The U.S. Department of State website says U.S. citizens can get an absentee ballot by mail, email or fax, or by downloading it from the internet, though options vary by state.
Most U.S. citizens can vote absentee for federal office candidates in U.S. primary and general elections. Some states also allow U.S. citizens living abroad to vote for local and state office candidates, and on referendums.
Georganne Burke, the chapter lead for Republicans Overseas in Canada, said it has been a "contentious year" as Americans living in Canada have watched "the back and forth" between the two governments over trade.
"They want to make sure that whatever's going on in the States stays kind of healthy in case they have to go back home. So people, they are more engaged, I think, than they have in the past," she said.
A dual citizen, Burke moved back to the U.S. a few months ago after spending 38 years in Toronto and Ottawa.
A Republican and Trump supporter, Burke said she estimates there is a roughly three-to-one Democrat to Republican ratio among American expats living in Canada.
"I know that most Republicans are very motivated to vote," she said. "They're very quiet about it. They don't talk because they're not received in a very friendly way in Canada, which is kind of unfortunate.
"Democrats are also motivated to vote, especially if they're in one of those toss-up states, like Michigan."
When The Canadian Press sought to speak with various American voters via social media pages and message boards, lots of Democrats stepped forward. Not one Republican did.
Burke said it's a civic duty to vote in elections. She also said while some of the things Trump says and does make her "cringe," she focuses on his accomplishments.
"A lot of the thing that he has done in the United States have made a huge difference for Americans, including dealing with the border problem in Mexico," she said. "And I know it drives people crazy, but he is reshoring, as he puts it, American industry to the United States to employ Americans. That's his job."
Trump's trade war with Canada has become a leading ballot box issue in some key states ahead of the U.S. midterms.
Trump rapidly escalated his trade war and rhetoric against Canada after trade negotiations fell apart in August. The president signed an order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America and the United States hit an array of Canadian goods with 50 per cent tariffs. A few weeks later, Ottawa responded with its own retaliatory duties.
Jessica Matwick, a dual citizen who lives in Ottawa and is involved with Democrats Abroad and Indivisible Ottawa, said every eligible voter should get out and vote "to put a stop to an unhinged administration and a legislative body that has abdicated their responsibility to keep the executive in check."
"The attacks on Canadian sovereignty and destructive tariff war are actions I cannot remain silent about," said Matwick, who moved back to Canada in late 2016 and votes in Virginia. "I still have family living in the U.S. and many friends who I am concerned about.
"My heart hurts knowing that the damage that has been done in a relatively short period of time will take years and years to repair."
Cody Littlefield, who moved to Canada from the U.S. in 2019 and now lives in Calgary, said he tries to vote in every election. A California voter, he said this election presents an opportunity for voters to send a message that what's happening in the U.S. "is not acceptable."
"The future of the country really matters to me," said Littlefield, adding that he and his family may eventually move back to the U.S.
"There are some people who will never go back and maybe they just really don't care about the domestic stuff, but I would say the foreign policy still does affect them."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Victoria firefighters met with 'extremely challenging conditions' battling hotel fire
Firefighters battle Victoria, B.C., hotel blaze
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The City of Victoria says fire crews were met with "extremely challenging conditions" as they battled a blaze at the former Travellers Inn building on Queens Ave.
A statement from the city says part of the building collapsed and heavy machinery was used in a "controlled demolition" of the fire-damaged structure.
Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson says the fire spread rapidly and crews took a "defensive posture" after clearing the building.
Atkinson says he was thankful to other agencies that aided the response, including the Saanich, Esquimalt and Oak Bay fire departments, as well as Victoria Police, paramedics and crews from FortisBC and BC Hydro, calling the blaze a "complex incident."
The city says no firefighters were injured and the building's occupants have been accounted for, but there have been unconfirmed reports of other people in the building.
The statement from the city says the residents and others from a nearby building were evacuated and are getting help from the city's emergency support services, and crews are expected to remain at the scene through the night into Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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This $20 train from Toronto takes you to a riverside town with little cafes and quaint shops
It's a charming spot for a weekend escape.
You don't need a car to travel to a charming small town. This cute Ontario village is just a train ride away from Toronto, and it has "fall outing" written all over it.
With riverside views, a historic main street, quaint shops and little cafes, it's the perfect place to put on your coziest sweater, grab a pumpkin spice latte, and breathe in the crisp fall air.
Port Hope is a dreamy small town on the shores of Lake Ontario, just an hour from Toronto.
According to Northumberland Tourism, it's "one of Ontario’s cutest small towns" and is home to the "best-preserved heritage main street" in the province.
It's only about an hour's train ride away from Toronto with VIA Rail. It's ideal for a weekend escape or longer, with trains departing Toronto in the evenings and returning in the afternoon or evening.
The train station is just steps from downtown, so you don't have to go far to find stores, restaurants, and more.
You can stroll through the storybook downtown, popping into bookshops, sipping on seasonal lattes, and biting into baked goods.
Some local eateries worth checking out include The Pulse Cafe & Eatery, The Main, Cafe Lviv, Milly's Market, and Happenstance Bakery & Coffee Roastery.
If you want a super cute cafe experience, make a stop at Toe Beans Cat Cafe, where you can visit with adorable cats while enjoying a drink.
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail is a dreamy spot for a late-autumn stroll. The scenic trail winds along the Ganaraska River, boasting picturesque views and peaceful scenery.
If you're in the mood for something spooky this Halloween season, Port Hope is the place to be.
Despite its charm, it has served as the backdrop for several horror films and a mystery series, making Halloween the ideal time to explore this destination.
One of the most famous horror films shot in Port Hope is IT, which saw the town transform into Derry, Maine, the fictional home of the terrifying, shape-shifting clown.
If you're brave enough, you can follow the IT Walking Tour to explore filming locations from both IT and IT: Chapter Two.
The self-guided tour includes stops at Memorial Park, where the giant Paul Bunyan statue appeared, and a laneway off Walton Street beside the Quality Meats shop featured in the films.
Other horror and mystery productions filmed in Port Hope include Orphan, Murdoch Mysteries and Our House.
Port Hope has no shortage of fall activities, from a Pumpkin Parade to trick-or-treating and more. You can check out the website for a full list of things to do.
If you're planning a longer visit, there are several boutique hotels and B&Bs where you can stay, such as the Hotel Carlyle & Restaurant and the Plantation House Bed & Breakfast.
With its charming shops and historic main street, Port Hope is a beautiful small-town escape near the city.
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Voici pourquoi la chicane entre Varda et Marie-Chantal n'a pas été diffusée à Big Brother
Le lundi 25 janvier, Varda et Marie-Chantal ont dévoilé en confessionnal qu'un événement créait des tensions entre elles à Big Brother Célébrités. N'ayant jamais eu accès aux images montrant la chicane, les fans sont confus alors que des caméras filment les candidats 24 heures sur 24.
Pourquoi est-ce qu'une querelle entre deux candidats ne serait pas montrée, alors qu'elle affecte tout le monde dans la maison, et a même mené à la mise en ballotage des personnes concernées?
L'équipe de production de Big Brother explique ses raisons à Narcity.
La sélection de l'éditeur : Les fans veulent des réponses sur la chicane de Marie-Chantal et Varda à Big Brother
Big Brother Célébrités
Selon ce que Marie-Chantal, Varda et d'autres participants ont révélé lors de l'émission, la bisbille aurait commencé lorsque la chanteuse était sous médication pour sa dent cassée.
Cette soirée-là, Marie-Chantal aurait consommé de l'alcool malgré les contre-indications et aurait passé un commentaire au sujet de la santé mentale de Varda.
Cette dernière, qui essayait apparemment d'inciter Marie-Chantal à aller se coucher, rapporte que ce genre de commentaire est inacceptable.
Cela dit, les images n’auraient pas été diffusées, car elles ne servent pas à faire avancer le jeu côté stratégie :
« Leur récente chicane teinte fortement l’ambiance dans la maison. Comme ça influence l’aventure, il était important d’expliquer la situation et que les deux nous en parlent en confessionnal.
« Il se passe beaucoup de choses dans la maison et on se concentre sur les stratégies et le jeu. Il n’était donc pas nécessaire de rentrer dans le détail pour comprendre le contexte et pour le narratif de l’émission. »
On en voit donc juste assez pour comprendre les décisions stratégiques des joueurs, comme celle de mettre Marie-Chantal et Varda en ballotage à cause de l'ambiance que leur discorde apporte dans la maison.
Lors des dernières éditions d'Occupation Double, comme celle à laquelle Kevin a participé en Afrique du Sud, de gros conflits entre participants ont mené à des prises de positions et des vagues de haine du côté des Québécois.
La section commentaire sur les comptes Instagram de certaines personnalités de téléréalité a déjà dû être fermée, et des messages haineux ont été reçus par centaines par les participants.
Certains ont donc proposé que le « drama » entre les candidats qui n'amène rien au « narratif de l’émission », comme le fait Big Brother, ne soit pas montré pour éviter ces comportements.