Ethnic Communities and Political Engagement in Canada
With Canada’s federal election approaching, political parties have ramped up efforts to mobilize voters across the nation. Yet, there remains a vital aspect often overlooked: the profound impact of ethnic communities on the country’s political landscape.
Demographic Shifts
As of 2021, nearly 23% of Canada’s population—over 8.3 million people—are current or former immigrants, marking the highest share since 1921. Intriguingly, individuals from Asia account for 51.4% of this immigrant population. The growing diversity is not merely a statistic; it’s reshaping societal interactions and political dialogues. Immigrant and diaspora communities are becoming a substantial segment of the electorate, drawing attention to issues aligned with their unique experiences and needs.
The Dynamics of Political Integration
As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Education, my research has focused on South Asian immigrants in Calgary, examining their integration into Canadian society. Accessibility to political engagement varies across economic, social, health, and political spheres, heavily influenced by factors such as multilingualism and ethnic networks. These dynamics are increasingly mediated through modern communication platforms like WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.
Digital Ethnography: A New Realm of Engagement
Since the federal election was announced, I’ve conducted a digital ethnography of social media pages run by South Asian community influencers. This method entails observing how communities engage with each other through digital technologies. These influencers cultivate online spaces—on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp—that significantly impact members’ access to political information and mobilization.
The posts and discussions that take place within these digital realms often reflect a blend of multiple languages, signaling a growing multilingual political consciousness. In an era where political engagement can be narrowly defined by voter turnout, it’s crucial to recognize that political integration extends beyond simply casting a ballot.
Community Engagement in Multilingual Spaces
Members of the South Asian diaspora engage in political discussions not only via social media but also in cultural and religious settings such as mosques, temples, and community centers. From volunteering in various civic duties to participating in ethnic festivals, these activities often occur in heritage languages like Hindi, Punjabi, Bangla, or Urdu, sometimes blending several languages in what linguists refer to as "translanguaging."
One South Asian participant shared, “I often volunteer on Facebook, and my entire social media work is based on Urdu. It allows me to connect with people.” This highlights how language serves as a vehicle for political engagement, fostering deeper connections within the community and expanding political literacy.
Understanding Political Priorities
South Asians represent Canada’s largest visible minority group, reflecting a complex web of political engagement that challenges common perceptions about immigrant communities. While it’s often assumed that lack of engagement in dominant languages signifies a lack of involvement, my findings suggest otherwise. In reality, multilingual political activities enrich community participation and facilitate open dialogues on issues that matter, including housing, health care, and immigration policies.
The Role of Ethnic Networks in Civic Life
Ethnic networks play an essential role in the civic life of immigrant communities. Acting as incubators for civic participation, these networks consist of extended family ties, faith groups, and digital communities—integrating newcomers into the broader political discourse. They are not isolated enclaves but dynamic systems that build trust and political literacy.
Moreover, the misconception that nominating candidates from specific ethnic backgrounds automatically secures community support overlooks the complexity of voter preferences. Participants in my research expressed that while ethnicity matters, party platforms and overall political performances are equally, if not more, influential in their electoral decisions.
Multilingualism as Cultural Capital
Canada recognizes English and French as its official languages, yet the significance of multilingualism is particularly pronounced in immigrant communities. Language is not merely a mode of communication but a critical cultural resource that enables identity formation and political engagement.
Participants mentioned that they often translated political materials for others, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and emergency response to various socio-political issues. This active involvement is easily observable in the current election cycle, as South Asian community members utilize digital tools and trending topics to mobilize voters and raise awareness.
Faith-Based Spaces as Civic Hubs
Places of worship such as gurdwaras, mosques, and mandirs often double as civic forums where political discussions take place. Political candidates frequently engage with these communities, and leaders within them play a significant role in shaping conversations about civic engagement and political participation.
These spaces provide not just cultural fluency but also practical language access that mainstream political systems often lack, highlighting the need for political parties to invest more deeply in understanding the communities they aim to reach.
An Inclusive Approach to Democracy
As Canada continues to shift demographically, it is increasingly evident that political integration must be recognized as a fundamental part of a functioning democracy. While some political entities provide translation services or host culturally relevant events, they frequently miss the mark by not acknowledging the already robust civic engagement that exists organically within these communities.
Immigrants today are not passive recipients of political messaging but are active, vocal participants shaping the discourse within their networks. By moving beyond outdated notions of “ethnic votes” and embracing the wealth of community knowledge and experience, we can truly embrace a more inclusive democracy.
In summary, engaging with ethnic networks, understanding multilingualism, and recognizing diverse civic participation are essential to honoring the complexities of Canada’s democratic fabric. Meeting community members in their linguistic, cultural, and local contexts will support a richer, more representative political environment for all Canadians.
