Battleground Toronto: leaked memo shows that Conservatives really, really, really want “very ethnic” Toronto votes
The latest scandal in Ottawa is that immigration minister Jason Kenney, who’s been charged with building the Conservative brand in Canada’s immigrant communities, seems to have allowed a Conservative fundraising memo [PDF] to go out on government letterhead—a big no-no. There have been a number of reactions, from the NDP demanding Kenney’s resignation to the Liberals trying to look above the fray. We can’t help but have a reaction of our own: the Conservatives like us! They really, really like us!
Of the 10 target ridings profiled in the Conservative memo, two are in Toronto proper and five are in the G.T.A. The memo gives some idea of how the Conservatives see the ridings in and around Toronto:
- “If G.T.A. South Asians were to form a city, it would be the third-largest city in the country.”
- “There are lots of ethnic voters; There will be quite a few more soon; They live where we need to win.”
- “Data proves hunch: we are losing. We are losing less badly now.”
The memo then goes on to detail some of the ads they will produce to continue wooing South Asians (will those ads will ever see the light of day now?). With this as evidence, we’re starting to believe that it’s not all idle chatter—that the Conservatives really will be pushing hard for ridings in Toronto and the G.T.A. in the as-yet-hypothetical election this year.
Prepare to be wooed, ethnic Toronto! If there’s a spicy restaurant opening or a cultural festival celebrating something the MP for Kenora couldn’t identify three months ago, get ready for a photo-op and a novelty cheque. After all, there’s an election* to win.
* Election promises not valid after polls close.
• Jason Kenney’s plan for breaking through in ethnic communities [Macleans.ca]
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