Something I take great pride in about Canada is our multiculturalism.
One of the places it is on display is in the House of Commons.
While Canadian politics is often thought of as the domain of white men, there are more visible minorities and women becoming members of Parliament.
As well, something that is not an issue here, is politicians born outside of Canada. We do not prevent politicians born in a different country from becoming an MP or prime minister.
In the current Parliament, 38 of the 308 MPs were born outside of Canada. That works out to 12.3 per cent of MPs.
There are a variety of nations that produced these MPs. Here is the list of countries where these MPs were born, along with how many were born there: Argentina (one); Belgium (one); Brazil (one); China (two); France (one); Germany (one); Greece (two); Hong Kong (one); India (four); Ireland (one); Italy (four); Cote D’Ivoire (one); Japan (one); Netherlands (one); Paraguay (one); Portugal (two); South Africa (one); Tanzania (two); Trinidad (one); United Kingdom (six — four from England and one each from Scotland and Northern Ireland); United States (two); and Vietnam (one).
It’s interesting to see the breakdown of the areas these MPs represent. Ontario has almost half with 16, followed by eight from B.C., six from Quebec, three each from Alberta and Manitoba and two from Nova Scotia.
There are no foreign-born MPs from any of the Atlantic provinces except Nova Scotia, any of the territories or Saskatchewan.
A further breakdown shows what should not come as a surprise — most of these MPs represent urban areas.
Of the 38, 11 represent ridings in the Greater Toronto Area, with seven from Toronto proper.
The next largest metropolitan area is B.C.’s Lower Mainland with seven, including four in Vancouver proper.
There are four in the Montreal area, three from Calgary and one each from Quebec City, metropolitan Halifax, Winnipeg and Hamilton.
The remaining nine are from smaller cities or rural areas.
Interestingly, of those nine only two, China-born Inky Mark of rural Manitoba and Vietnam-born Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac from Quebec, are visible minorities.
The breakdown by party is also intriguing. The party with the most foreign-born MPs is the Liberal party with 18, followed by the Conservatives with 11, NDP with seven and the Bloc Quebecois with two.
While none of these people occupy the top office in the land, there are a handful currently in cabinet (listed with the province they represent and their country of birth): Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews (Manitoba, Paraguay); Minister of Industry Tony Clement (Ontario, United Kingdom); Minister of State for Democratic Reform Steven Fletcher (Manitoba, Brazil); Minister of State for Seniors Diane Ablonczy (Alberta, United States); and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs — Americas Peter Kent (Ontario, United Kingdom).
Interesting note, none of these five ministers are visible minorities.
As well, Canada has had four prime ministers born outside of Canada. Granted three of these came from a time when many immigrants from the U.K. were still flocking to Canada. Those three are Sir John A. Macdonald (Scotland, 1867-1873 and 1878-1891); Alexander Mackenzie (Scotland, 1873-1878); and Sir Mackenzie Bowell (England, 1894-1896).
However, the fourth was not that long ago. Liberal prime minister John Turner was born in England. He served just a few months as prime minister in 1984.
This country’s willingness to welcome new people from outside its borders is a solid part of Canada’s past and present and the make up of our Parliament demonstrates that openness. It’s something of which to be proud.
Jason Small can be reached at 691-1255.
