Myer Siemiatycki

Governing Immigrant City: Immigrant Political Representation in Toronto

This article explores the paradoxes of Toronto’s experience of immigrant and minority political incorporation. The city once synonymous with ethnic homogeneity is now among the world’s most multicultural urban centers. The city, which proclaims “Diversity Our Strength” as its official motto, has a poor record of electing immigrants and minorities to public office. And the city, whose municipal council is overwhelmingly composed of White, European-origin politicians, has an exemplary record of promoting inclusion, equity, antiracism, and human rights in its policies and programs. The article analyzes these ambiguities of governing immigrant city Toronto.

Diverse Pathways to Immigrant Political Incorporation Comparative Canadian and U.S. Perspectives

In both Canada and the United States, immigration is producing major demographic and sociocultural changes. Yet relatively little research has been devoted to the impact of immigration on each country’s political life. Even less attention has been paid to comparing the patterns of immigrant political participation in both countries. This has left underinvestigated a host of important questions about the body politic of Canada and the United States: Measured at national, urban, and community scales, do immigrants in the two countries become integrated into formal politics such as voting and running for elected office? Are they engaged in more informal political activities such as community and ethnic organizing? If so, then how do various immigrant communities mobilize politically, form agendas and alliances, express their voices, and expand their opportunities? As more countries and cities around the world become immigration destinations, there is much to be learned about creating inclusive political systems from the comparative experience of Canada and the United States illustrated in this volume.