Voices Across Borders: How Cultural Communities View Canada's Election

As Canada's federal election unfolds against a backdrop of global uncertainty, communities across the linguistic spectrum are engaging in thoughtful conversations about their place in Canada's future. Through the lens of ethnic media in multiple languages, MIREMS offers a glimpse into these rich dialogues—conversations that often remain invisible to mainstream coverage but reflect the depth and diversity of Canadian democratic participation.

A Tapestry of Concerns
Walk into a polling station in Scarborough, Vancouver, or Montreal during advance voting, and you'll encounter a mosaic of voters, each bringing their unique perspectives to this democratic exercise. A South Asian couple, patiently waiting in line at a Scarborough polling station, shared with Ming Pao reporters their reflections on Canada's place in a changing world. Nearby, a Chinese-Canadian family discussed economic considerations that would influence their ballot choice.

In Vancouver's Chinese Cultural Centre, Mrs. Guo expressed surprise at the Easter weekend turnout, while in Burnaby, a voter named Martin appreciated the organization of advance polls despite unexpected crowds. These small moments, captured in Van People's Chinese-language coverage, paint a picture of civic engagement that transcends linguistic barriers.

International Relations: A Common Thread
Across various language communities, Canada's international relationships have emerged as a central consideration. Romanian-language media outlet Accent Montreal observes how attention has shifted toward external relationships and trade partnerships, reflecting widespread interest in how Canada positions itself on the global stage.
This theme resonates in conversations happening in community centers, local radio programs, and family gatherings. Professor Andrea Lawlor, speaking with Portuguese-language media, noted this shift in focus and the evolving nature of political discourse in Canada.

Chinese-language media has offered nuanced historical perspective on Canada-China relations over two decades. Vansky presented readers with a thoughtful examination of how diplomatic approaches have evolved across different administrations, noting how complex international relationships interact with domestic community experiences.

Local Concerns in Global Context
While international affairs feature prominently, community media hasn't lost sight of local concerns. In Punjabi-language programming on CJMR 1320 AM, discussions addressed housing affordability, access to healthcare, and the interconnection between immigration policies and community development.

French-language L'Express highlighted the French-Canadian Cultural Federation's advocacy for arts funding in minority Francophone communities, with Federation President Nancy Juneau emphasizing that culture represents "a main course" rather than a dessert for linguistic minority communities.

In Portuguese-focused ridings like Davenport and Mississauga-Lakeshore, OMNI Focus has documented candidates discussing housing affordability, climate initiatives, and relationships between different levels of government—demonstrating how national policy discussions find unique expressions in local contexts.

Leadership Through Different Cultural Lenses
Each cultural community brings distinct perspectives to their assessment of party leaders. Van People's Chinese-language analysis offered thoughtful character sketches of each leader's debate performance, highlighting communication styles and strategic approaches. Nash Montreal provided Russian-language readers with reflections on how the debates might influence voter decisions in the campaign's final days.

Hindi-language NDTV took a different approach, explaining distinctive features of Canadian democracy to readers, including voting rights for incarcerated individuals and the structure of Parliamentary democracy—offering valuable civic education to community members.

Representation Evolves
Throughout this election, Punjab Star and other publications have noted the growing representation of diverse candidates. The participation of over 70 candidates of Asian descent, including many from South Asian backgrounds, reflects an evolution in Canadian political representation. The increasing presence of women candidates from diverse backgrounds, including 13 Punjabi women seeking office, suggests continuing transformation in who shapes Canada's political future.

In Brampton, community events have brought together established political figures and community leaders, as documented by Punjab Star, showcasing the integration of cultural communities into Canada's political landscape.

Listening Across Languages
As election day approaches, these multilingual conversations continue to evolve, offering perspectives that enrich our understanding of Canadian democracy. By listening across languages, we gain insight into the hopes, concerns, and aspirations that animate voters from diverse backgrounds.

The tapestry of voices captured in ethnic media reminds us that Canadian democracy speaks in many languages, but converges around shared questions: How do we build sustainable prosperity? How do we navigate complex international relationships? How do we create communities where everyone belongs?
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Though expressed in different languages and informed by diverse cultural contexts, these questions reflect a common engagement with Canada's democratic process—a process that continues to evolve through the participation of all who call this country home.


This narrative draws from MIREMS' multilingual media monitoring of community perspectives on the 2025 Canadian federal election. By listening to conversations happening in over 30 languages, MIREMS provides a window into how diverse communities engage with and contribute to Canadian democratic dialogue.