Shopping for Votes Can Undermine Canada’s Fine Balance – Diaspora Politics – My Op-Ed

From New Canadian Media, my op-ed on diaspora politics, assessing the factors and politics behind why governments and political parties adopt some causes and some not:

Ironically, as the government aims to strengthen the value of Canadian citizenship, suggesting a more exclusive attachment to Canada, its active engagement in diaspora politics reinforces a more fluid concept of identity and citizenship, one more in tune with the complex identities many Canadians have.

Diaspora politics are a legitimate part of the Canadian landscape. While some may perceive it as “pandering,” diaspora politics reflect a valid response to the concerns of citizens. The challenge for all political parties is to balance the interests of individual communities – both with other groups and Canada’s broader interests and values.

Too strong a focus on “shopping for votes” risks undermining this balance.

Shopping for Votes Can Undermine Canada’s Fine Balance – New Canadian Media – NCM.