The Changing Face of Canadian Politics: Ethnic Representation in the 2025 Federal Election - Part II

​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.