​While Part I of this series examined how ethnic media interpreted the historic gains in representation and the dramatic reshaping of party dynamics, Part II shifts focus to the broader policy landscape and how diverse communities are responding to evolving national priorities. From trade tensions and industrial policy to foreign affairs and immigration enforcement, ethnic media continues to reflect a wide spectrum of perspectives—often raising questions overlooked in mainstream discourse. This segment explores how multilingual outlets are framing Canada's next steps and what their coverage reveals about emerging challenges and expectations in a rapidly diversifying political environment. 

Ethnicity and Political Affiliation: Punjabi and Chinese Representation

The 2025 election saw a record-breaking 22 MPs of Punjabi origin elected to Parliament, consolidating their position as one of Canada’s most politically active ethnic groups. This surge in representation was particularly evident in Brampton, where all five ridings elected Punjabi candidates. Ontario and British Columbia emerged as key hubs for South Asian communities, with Punjabi MPs playing a significant role in shaping the political landscape.
The Liberal Party remained the dominant choice for Punjabi representation, building on its successes in 2019 and 2021. This trend reflects the party's consistent outreach to immigrant communities and its policies supporting multiculturalism and social programs. The Conservative Party, although making some inroads, struggled to gain significant traction among Punjabi voters, while the NDP experienced a notable decline, partially attributed to the waning influence of Jagmeet Singh’s leadership.

For Chinese representation, 9 MPs were elected in 2025, primarily from urban centers in Ontario and British Columbia. The Liberal Party again secured the majority of Chinese representation, with prominent figures like Shaun Chen and Jean Yip leading the way in the Greater Toronto Area. However, the Conservative Party faced challenges in appealing to Chinese-Canadian voters, whose concerns over hardline stances on China and limited cultural engagement overshadowed the party’s economic platform.

The trends from 2019 and 2021 reveal a steady preference among Punjabi and Chinese communities for the Liberal Party, which has positioned itself as a champion of diversity and immigration. However, the 2025 election also highlighted the potential for these communities to consolidate further under targeted outreach and culturally relevant policies.

The Rise of Ethnic Representation in Canada

Ethnic representation in Parliament has grown steadily over the last three election cycles. In 2019, approximately 15% of MPs were from diverse ethnic backgrounds, a figure that increased to 18% in 2021 and reached 21% in 2025. This upward trajectory reflects the growing multicultural demographics of Canada, as well as the strategic efforts of political parties to engage immigrant communities.

Federal trends indicate that South Asians and Chinese Canadians are driving this rise in representation, particularly in urban ridings like Brampton, Mississauga, Vancouver, and Richmond. Provincially, these communities have also made significant gains. In Ontario, South Asians dominate ridings in Brampton and Mississauga, while Chinese representation is strongest in Markham and Scarborough. British Columbia continues to be a hub for Chinese representation, with South Asians gaining influence in Surrey and Burnaby.

Historically, this rise is part of a broader trend that began in the late 20th century as immigration reshaped Canada’s demographic landscape. However, the record-breaking representation in 2025 suggests that this is not merely a gradual shift but a reflection of concerted efforts by communities and political parties to ensure diverse voices are heard.

Other Ethnic Groups: New Voices and Persistent Gaps

While Punjabi and Chinese communities dominated the narrative of ethnic representation in 2025, other groups also made significant strides. Filipino-Canadian MP Rechie Valdez, elected under the Liberal Party, became the first Filipino-Canadian woman in Parliament, a milestone celebrated widely within her community. Tamil representation also grew, with candidates gaining ground in suburban ridings like Scarborough.

However, gaps remain. Ukrainian representation, historically strong during the Harper era, has declined, with only two MPs of Ukrainian origin elected in 2025. This decline comes despite high diaspora engagement due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Similarly, Italian and Spanish-speaking MPs remain underrepresented, reflecting a lack of targeted outreach to these communities. Afro-Canadian representation, while growing, is still not proportional to the community’s demographic size, signaling the need for greater inclusion efforts.

Policy Focus: Advocating for Multiculturalism and DEI

Ethnic representation is not merely about numbers—it is also about the policies that these MPs champion. The Liberal Party has consistently emphasized multiculturalism and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in its platform. Policies such as expanding immigration pathways, funding anti-racism initiatives, and strengthening social programs resonate strongly with immigrant communities.

The Conservative Party, while focusing on economic integration and credential recognition for immigrants, has faced challenges in aligning its platform with the cultural priorities of diverse communities. Its hardline stance on immigration caps and contentious foreign policy decisions, such as the approach to China, have limited its appeal to many ethnic groups.

The NDP, traditionally a champion of equity-focused policies, has seen its influence wane, limiting its ability to advocate for DEI effectively. This decline underscores the importance of leadership in maintaining a party’s relevance among diverse communities.

A Global Perspective: How Canada Compares

Canada’s progress in ethnic representation stands out among multicultural democracies. In the United States, ethnic representation in Congress is driven by majority-minority districts, but deep partisan divides often hinder cohesive progress on diversity-focused policies. The United Kingdom has seen notable growth in South Asian MPs, reflecting efforts to integrate diversity into its centralized political framework. Australia, however, lags behind, with limited ethnic representation in Parliament despite its multicultural population.

Canada’s approach—rooted in targeted outreach, proportional representation, and a commitment to multiculturalism—offers valuable lessons for other democracies. However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring equitable representation for all ethnic groups and addressing systemic barriers to political participation.

Conclusion: Toward a More Inclusive Democracy

The 2025 federal election underscored the growing importance of ethnic representation in Canada’s political landscape. From record-breaking Punjabi representation to the historic election of Filipino and Tamil MPs, the results reflect a nation that is increasingly embracing its diversity. However, persistent gaps in representation for some communities and the decline of traditionally equity-focused parties highlight the need for continued efforts to ensure inclusivity.

As Canada moves forward, the role of ethnic representation will only grow in significance. By amplifying diverse voices and championing policies that reflect the lived realities of all Canadians, the country can continue to build a democracy that truly embodies its multicultural identity.

Canada’s 2025 federal election delivered historic shifts—not only in who will govern, but in who holds political power within the country’s cultural communities. While mainstream coverage centers on Mark Carney’s Liberal minority and Pierre Poilievre’s failure to secure his seat, ethnic media has illuminated a deeper narrative, one that probes issues of representation, belonging, and national cohesion from community-specific vantage points.

Representation and Reaction

One of the most striking outcomes of the election was the record-breaking 22 MPs of Punjabi origin elected to Parliament. This surge was especially visible in Brampton, where all five ridings went to Punjabi candidates—an achievement widely reported across Indian and Chinese-language media.
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In Vancouver, Chinese-language outlet Van People acknowledged the milestone but also reflected unease among some readers. Online commenters expressed concerns about whether these new MPs would focus on shared Canadian values, Indigenous reconciliation, and bilingualism—underscoring tensions around political integration in a multicultural democracy.

In contrast, Punjabi-language media embraced the result as a breakthrough moment. Red FM in Toronto and Hamdard Weekly in Mississauga portrayed the elections as proof of political maturity within the Punjabi-Canadian community. NDTV in New Delhi highlighted that over 6% of Parliament is now composed of Punjabi-origin MPs, calling it a powerful symbol of diaspora influence on the global stage.

A New Political Era for Chinese Canadians

Chinese-Canadian candidates also saw major electoral gains, with nine winning seats across Ontario and British Columbia. Vancouver’s Vansky spotlighted high-profile victories, including Shaun Chen and Jean Yip, as markers of the community’s rising engagement and trust from voters.

The election of Wade Chang in Burnaby Central, where he unseated NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, was particularly significant. Canada News Network in Vancouver highlighted Chang’s platform, which prioritized healthcare reform and a proposal to transform the BCIT area into a Pacific tech hub that would strengthen Canada’s economic and scientific links with Asia.

Still, some cautionary notes emerged. Articles in Van People and Canada News Network echoed frustrations among voters over neglected urban infrastructure and unfulfilled promises from long-standing MPs. The celebratory tone was paired with an insistence on accountability.

The Collapse of the NDP—and Jagmeet Singh

Nowhere was the shift in political fortunes more dramatic than in the collapse of the New Democratic Party and the personal defeat of its leader, Jagmeet Singh. Once viewed as a symbol of progressive, multicultural politics, Singh lost his seat in Burnaby Centre, and the NDP’s national seat count fell from 24 to just 7.

Coverage in Punjab Star (Mississauga) and India’s Dainik Jagran interpreted Singh’s loss as the end of an era, pointing to his past association with Khalistani activism as a liability—particularly during a period of strained relations between India and Canada. ABP News (India) noted that many Indian-origin voters viewed Singh’s stance as oppositional to India’s interests.

At Red FM in Brampton, commentary acknowledged Singh’s impact on Canadian politics but emphasized that the NDP’s failure to carve out a distinct platform—and its dependency on the Liberals—ultimately eroded support. On Toronto’s Radio Humsafar, callers voiced frustration that the party had become politically stagnant and unresponsive to evolving community needs.

Carney’s Win: A Cautious Reset

Ethnic media coverage of Mark Carney’s victory was largely characterized by measured optimism. Carney’s technocratic reputation, combined with his promise of renewed diplomatic outreach, especially toward India, was seen as a potential reset after the contentious Trudeau years.

In New Delhi, Amar Ujala and Dainik Hindustan framed Carney as a chance to repair damaged bilateral relations and highlighted his visible efforts to engage with Indian-Canadian communities—attending temple festivals and signaling openness to strategic cooperation.

In Montreal, the Romanian paper Accent praised Carney’s economic expertise and his emphasis on defending Canadian sovereignty amid escalating U.S. trade pressure. Zycie, a Polish-language weekly in Toronto, echoed cautious approval while warning that voters may quickly tire of continued Liberal dominance if reforms are not delivered.

Meanwhile, Goniec, another Polish outlet in Toronto, was openly skeptical, branding Carney a "media product" and predicting more of the same under his leadership—a sentiment that echoed in corners of Russian and Ukrainian media as well.

Electoral Integrity and Community Trust

One of the most widely discussed—and controversial—election moments in ethnic media came from Chinese-language WeChat groups in Edmonton, where a video surfaced showing election staff in Hamilton placing ballot boxes into a private vehicle. The footage, reported by Edmonton Official WeChat, sparked intense outrage and skepticism.

While Elections Canada downplayed the incident as procedural, online posts asked bluntly: “If this happened in China, would Canada not call it election fraud?” For many immigrant communities, trust in institutions is not automatic—it is earned. When transparency falters, ethnic media becomes the platform through which these concerns are aired, debated, and legitimized.

Beyond the Headlines

As the national media pivots toward post-election strategy and party leadership speculation, ethnic media remains focused on more foundational questions: Who speaks for immigrant communities? Does descriptive representation translate into policy impact? And will Ottawa treat diversity as an asset or a wedge?

From Mandarin-language commentary in Vancouver about political integration, to Punjabi talk shows in Brampton questioning economic priorities, Canada’s ethnic media doesn’t just report the news—it redefines the terms of political engagement.