For the same reason that married couples enjoy privileges that dating couples do not. The long term commitment and investment in a partner indicate and confer interest in long term stability and development.
So a permanent resident who has lived in a country, for say, 10 years? You don't think they're committed at that point and should have a right to vote on the society they are contributing to?
I agree with your point - but to answer your question, none that take _more_ than 10 years but quite a few that take 10 years. Austria had particularly tough requirements - 10 years, language competency _and_ no dual citizenship
To throw it back at you- should a couple who have been together for 10 years be afforded the same rights as a married couple?
> you don’t think they’re committed at that point and should have a right to vote in the society they are contributing to
Honestly - no, I don’t. I think that voting in a GE is a huge privilege, and it should require an explicit declaration and an acceptance from the country they are part of.
I think you should look into common-law marriage. At least in Canada, living together for 2 years, means you are much closer to being married than not.
The article you are linking to specifically says that Canada doesn't have common law marriage only that “informal cohabitation relationships are recognised for certain purposes in Canada, creating legal rights and obligations”
Then apply for citizenship, take language and, usually, constitution exam and get the citizenship.
If somebody doesn’t care enough to prove they know the basics of the language and legal system in the country… Maybe they shouldn’t have voting privilege either?