Public Eye: Canada Election
Thu, December 22 2005
British Columbia's ethnically diverse communities will play key roles in deciding who forms the next Canadian government. Politicians are off and running, pounding the wintry pavements of B.C.'s 36 ridings to court Asian-Canadian voters. But just what are the defining issues for the Asian-Canadian voter?
Do the politicians wanting your vote understand the needs of the new Canadian or are they just full of empty promises? Do you feel that your community is being baited by candidates with the same roots or are new immigrants savvy enough to search for representatives who will reflect Canada's social, ethnic, and geographic diversity?
The Asian Pacific Post took these questions to new Canadians. Here is what they had to say.
"Are policians working for the long-term public interest of new Canadians or short-term partisan interests?"
Jenny Uechi
Editor, Vancouver
It's hard to say what "new Canadians" need because many immigrants have difficulty articulating their concerns. If politicians are to understand us well enough to make any kind of promises to us, we need to voice our issues clearly.
Network analyst, Richmond
Each politician is different from the other. But I'd like to see more candidates with ethnic origins. They would have a better understanding of the communities. An Asian candidate is in a better position to understand the Asian constituency.
Businesswoman, Richmond
Canada is a diversified country and ethnic communities must learn how to voice out their views and concerns. Only a few politicians have been able to reach out to them so community organizations should also speak out more and one approach is submitting petitions with signatures. There should also be more candidates with ethnic backgrounds because they can communicate easily with their respective communities.
Retail employee, Vancouver
All I know is that based on the previous years, the Liberals haven't done anything in meeting the needs of Asian-Canadians. Services were cut by the Liberals. An example is limiting access to ESL programs which had affected new immigrants, as well as the slashing of social benefits. Struggling immigrants are also faced with the problem of accreditation of their foreign education and experience, which they need to find jobs in order to support families
Hetty Alcuitas
Writer, Vancouver
Theoretically, elected officials are supposed to take care of their constituents. But we don't see any political will on their part whether they come from one or another party. They look out for the interests of upper-class and middle-class Canadians who need the services of lower-income people who are mostly immigrants. The classic example is the Live-In Caregiver program where women are condemned to modern-day slavery conditions.
Tong Chow
Professor, Coquitlam
They don't know much about the diversity. They are less aware of the differences among the communities. It would help if they understand cultural backgrounds. The diversity of communities is so rich that there is a need to be aware and appreciate these.
Ed Tahir
Golf instructor, Vancouver
Golf instructor, Vancouver
I'm not really following politics. I haven't had time to find out what's going on in the political scene. The same is true for others. They don't really care.In fact I've never voted before.
Tell us what you think
Reader comments are edited for clarity and may be selected to appear in the print version of the Asian Pacific Post.
