Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - October 2008
The Liberals have long been considered the political party of choice among ethnic minority groups in Canada. However, the results of this month�s election seem to show that recent efforts by the Conservatives to win over these communities are working.
In the October election the Conservatives were able to take from the Liberals six ridings considered to be �heavily ethnic Liberal strongholds.� They also made considerable gains in several heavily ethnic ridings in Toronto and Vancouver.
For several years, the Conservatives have been working hard to broaden their support across Canada. This effort has led the party to target ethnic groups as well as new Canadians through direct community appearances and mailing campaigns. The Conservatives also added immigration to their electoral campaign, promising lower processing fees and more funding toward foreign credential recognition programs. They now see these efforts as successful.
�We have done extremely well among new Canadians and in cultural communities,� said Conservative MP Jason Kenney in an interview after the elections. �New Canadians have demonstrated their votes are not to be taken for granted.�
Despite the progress of the Conservatives, however, the Liberal party still remains the top choice for most new arrivals to Canada. The Liberals managed to win 48 of 80 Canadian ridings that have significant ethnic populations.
Source: The Globe and Mail
