Abstract:
Chinese--Canada; Local elections
Subjects:
Chinese--Canada; Local elections
Subjects Facet:
Chinese--Canada; Local elections
Creator:
[No author identified]
Date:
2005-11-24
Date searchable:
2005-11-24
Date searchable:
2005-11-24
Genre:
articles
Genre Facet:
articles
Format:
image/tiff
Language:
Chinese
Language Facet:
Chinese
Relation:
Article from: World Journal(世界日報)
Rights:
Contact UVic Archives for access to the original resource and for reproduction requests (fee for reproductions).This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
Title-Alternative:
The Positive Implication from the Fact that Chinese Canadians Performed Better in the Elections in B.C.
Description-Abstract:
Keywords: Lee, Bar-Chya; Liyi; Chen, Cynthia; Mar, Jack; Green, Jim; Sullivan, Sam
Location(s):
British Columbia--Saanich; Hong Kong; Taiwan; China; British Columbia--Vancouver; British Columbia--Richmond; British Columbia--Burnaby
Location(s) Facet:
British Columbia--Saanich; Hong Kong; Taiwan; China; British Columbia--Vancouver; British Columbia--Richmond; British Columbia--Burnaby
Transcript:
華裔在卑詩省參政大面積豐收的積極啓示
溫哥華之所以在海內外華人中享有盛譽,不但是因爲這個城市的美麗和它在全球城市中獲得最適合於人類居住的崇高地位,同時也因爲它是兩岸三地華人移民海外,走向世界的重鎭,溫哥華像一個溫度計,可以測出海外華人在第二故鄕融入主流社會,積極參政的熱情溫度。在溫哥華所在的加拿大卑詩省,一場對華人來說具有里程碑意義的市選剛剛結束,給北美華人參政帶來了相當有益的啓示。
首先,在這場選舉中,華人呈現出大規模參政的趨勢,也收穫了大面積的成果。在全省多個城市中,華人有32人參選市長以下各級市政的民意代表位子,有14人成功當選,成功率達四成以上,更在溫哥華市十名市議員中獲得三個議員的席次,在卑詩省首府維多利亞成功贏得市長連任,這在北美地區相當罕見。可見,華人已經從害怕當出頭鳥的傳統對政治冷感心態中走了出來,敢於出頭天。不僅如此,市政與省政和聯邦政治不同,涉及市民最基本的生活層面,可見溫哥華的華人參政已經向社區最基層扎根,參政的土壤越來越豐厚。
其次,這次市選帶來許多新的突破。比如,當選爲溫哥華市議員的黎拔佳,是溫哥華首位具台灣背景的市議員;律師李溢 屢敗屢戰,終於在本拿比市實現零的突破,成爲首名服務市政的華裔學務委員; 而列治文市的獨立市議員候選人陳奕心,在政黨候選人環伺中脫穎而出;在溫哥華島上薩尼治市,馬福林更譜寫了一曲從農夫到市長的傳奇。
不僅如此,華人的參選,不再只跟著執政黨走,不再甘心只當某個政黨的族裔鐵票,把雞蛋放在一個籃子裏,而是多元參選,投入各個政黨,以及獨立參選,顯示華人的政治參與,滲透到主流社會的各個角落,這也等於是拔掉了潛伏在社會中歧視華裔的一個個隱性地雷,改變社會對華裔的刻板印象。
其次,華人參選者的背景,也呈現出多元化的趨勢。本來,北美華人參政,因著語言等因素,屬於移民第二代第三代的土生華人參政較多,後來香港移民因著華人社群人口的增多而出頭參選,這次,從土生華僑到第一代移民,從香港移民到台灣移民,從左派到右派,從親中到親台,大家都能超越旣有的地域和政治屬性,向所有的華裔社群拜票,顯示華人已經走出狹隘的身分定位認同,從定居加拿大的最大公約數的角度來追求華裔的共同利益,這是社區成熟的重要標誌。當然,來自大陸的移民雖然成爲近年移民的主力軍,但畢竟時日尙短,對社區的政治運作仍然缺乏經驗,出來參選的人才不足,但假以時日,必定也會有可觀的前景。
再次,根據主流學術單位的追蹤調查,在溫哥華、列治文等城市,華裔人口集中定居,雖然投票率尙低,但在兩大政黨勢均力敵的競爭中,華裔的投票取向,可以決定選舉的大局。以溫哥華市長選舉爲例來看,選前代表左翼偏中間路線的市長候選人詹健(中文名)本來領先於無黨派協會的蘇利文(中文名),但因爲華人有七成選民投給蘇,導致詹健英雄敗北,讓主流社會對華裔選票的力量刮目相看。也因爲華人選票的作用,這次市選,許多候選人都取了中文名字,蘇利文還以會講粵語拉票,顯示出華人選票可以發揮局部優勢,影響選舉大局,間接也就影響了市政未來發展的方向。這種情況,相信也會在以後的省選和聯邦大選中體現出來。
由上所述,華人參政在加拿大的卑詩省,在溫哥華,無論從質量到數量,從點到面,都已經漸趨成熟。溫哥華能行,多倫多、舊金山、洛杉磯、紐約等華人集聚的城市應該也行,北美華人應該加強區域交流,傳播參政的成功經驗。當然,卑詩省尤其是溫哥華的華裔也不應該就此滿足,而是應該對自己提出更大的挑戰:何時可以出現華裔的溫哥華市長?何時可以出現華裔的卑詩省長?要達致這樣的目標,華裔參政者不但要提升社群的投票率,更要以主流視野開拓非華裔票源,讓主流社會認同華裔參政的理念,從而取得更大的參政成果。
English translation: The Positive Implication from the Fact that Chinese Canadians Performed Better in the Elections in B.C.
Vancouver has a high reputation among the overseas Chinese, not only because of its beautiful scenery and its position as one of the best cities to live, but also due to the fact that Vancouver is an important hub for the Chinese from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to connect with the rest of world. The Chinese community in Vancouver reflects how enthusiastic Chinese Canadians are in getting involved in local society and politics. In the province of British Columbia, where Vancouver is located, a municipal election has recently ended. It has significant meaning for Chinese Canadians and a positive implication for the political participation of Chinese immigrants in North America.
First of all, the race: Many Chinese Canadian candidates appeared and became successful in the election. There were 32 candidates from multiple cities in B.C. competing for positions that represent public opinion at various levels of the local municipal government. Fourteen of them were successful. That is a success rate of over 40%. Chinese Canadian candidates won three councillor positions from a total of ten in the city of Vancouver. One candidate won the election for the Mayor of Victoria, the capital of B.C., a second time. This is not usual in North America. It seems that the Chinese community has stepped out of the tradition of avoiding standing out and staying away from politics, and has become braver in political participation. Furthermore, municipal governments are different from provincial and federal governments. They are closer to citizens’ everyday lives. So Chinese Canadians’ political participation in Vancouver has extended to all levels of the society, especially the bottom, and established a good foundation.
Secondly, there were several achievements in the election. For example, B.C. Lee, elected as a Vancouver Councillor, is the first municipal councillor member with a Taiwanese background. Lawyer Liyi became the first Chinese Canadian elected as a school district trustee in Burnaby after several losses in previous elections. Cynthia Chen, an independent candidate for a spot as a Richmond councillor, won over many competitors from the parties. Jack Mar turned himself from a farmer into the mayor of Saanich on Vancouver Island.
Moreover, Chinese Canadians’ political participation no longer just follows the lead of the ruling party. No longer are they placing all their eggs in one basket. It is becoming more diverse. The fact that Chinese Canadian candidates are joining different parties or becoming independent candidates show how much more Chinese Canadians are participating in politics. It helps to get rid of potential racial discrimination against Chinese communities and changes the stereotypes about Chinese Canadians in society.
Thirdly, the candidates had more diverse backgrounds. Previously, more electoral candidates representing the North American Chinese communities were second or third generation Chinese immigrants, who are usually born locally. Later, due to the increase of immigrants from Hong Kong, there were more candidates with a Hong Kong background. This election, the candidates’ backgrounds varied, from local-born Chinese Canadians to first-generation immigrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan. They looked beyond regional and political differences and attracted votes from the entirety of the Chinese community. This means that Chinese Canadians have stepped out of narrow identification concepts and consider residing in Canada as a common element in pursuing common benefits. This is a symbol of a mature community. Mainland China recently became the main source of new immigrants. With less time spent in the community and less understanding of the local political system, there are not enough candidates from this group. But in the future, things will improve.
Fourthly, according to the research of academic institutes, the Chinese Canadians mainly gathered in cities, such as Vancouver and Richmond. Although the voting rate is still not high as other communities, the votes of Chinese Canadians may decide the election results when the two main parties are evenly matched in an election. Using the election of the Mayor of Vancouver as an example, we found that the mayor candidate Jim Green, who represents the central left spectrum, was originally ahead of the NPA candidate Sam Sullivan in terms of votes. Because more than 70% of Chinese Canadians voted for Sam Sullivan, Jim Green lost, which made Canadian society notice the ballots of Chinese Canadians. Because of this, many candidates had Chinese names in this election. Sam Sullivan can even speak some Cantonese. This shows that the votes of Chinese Canadians may extend their regional advantage and impact election results, indirectly affecting the future development of the municipal politics. A similar situation may show in future provincial and federal elections.
In summary, Chinese Canadians in Vancouver and British Columbia have begun participating more in politics as a whole, no matter their views on quantity or quality or location. This upward trend may extend to Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angles, and New York. The Chinese communities in North America need to increase communication with each other and exchange their successful experiences. Of course, the Chinese Canadians in Vancouver will not be satisfied with their achievements. We look forward to having a Chinese Canadian serving as the Vancouver mayor or as the premier of British Columbia. To achieve these goals, Chinese Canadian voters need to increase their vote rate and explore how they can attract non-Chinese Canadian voters with an overall similar viewpoint. This will help society as a whole to understand the views of Chinese Canadians. Therefore, Chinese Canadians will participate more in politics.