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The 2021 Canadian Federal Election will take place on Monday, September 20, 2021.
The following is a list of candidates who identify as Muslim Canadian.
THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST
Why does Muslim Link compile lists of Muslim Canadian candidates? Well, it's interesting. It is a great way to showcase the diversity of Muslims in Canada. Clearly, we do not all think alike nor agree if we are drawn to such a wide range of political perspectives.
As the Editor in Chief, I always enjoy compiling these lists as I get to know more about quite interesting people and I get to learn more about what is happening in Canadian cities other than my own, which is the Nation's Capital, Ottawa.
I have included information from DiversityVotes.ca about the immigrant and visible minority populations living in each riding the candidates are running in.
Also, based on the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", I have noted if a particular federal riding has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
Feel free to send me suggestions for other candidates to add to the list at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative Candidate for Edmonton Manning
Lebanese Canadian Ziad Aboultaif served as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Manning since 2015. He was appointed Official Opposition Critic for National Revenue (2015-2017), Shadow Minister for International Development (2017-2019) and Shadow Minister for Digital Government from 2019-2020. Ziad is a strong advocate for live organ donations.
About Edmonton Manning: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Edmonton Manning is 121,048. Immigrants make up 31% of the population and visible minorities 40%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Cantonese, Punjabi, Arabic, and Spanish. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and China.
Kemal Ahmed, NDP Candidate for York Centre
Kemal Ahmed is a disabled McMaster Engineering graduate, small business owner, pending patent holder, and former Deloitte software engineer who has advocated for free speech, information privacy, and accessibility within the tech industry.
About York Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of York Centre is 104,319. Immigrants make up 56% of the population and visible minorities 46%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Filipino, Black, Latin American, and South Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Russian, Tagalog, Italian, and Spanish. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Italy, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine.
Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Nadeem Akbar, Conservative Candidate for Milton
Nadeem Akbar is a corporate IT consultant with over 17 years experience helping thousands of clients across the GTA with innovative solutions to their digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and governance management needs.
According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Milton is 114,093. Immigrants make up 35% of the population and visible minorities 42%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Filipino, and Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Urdu, Spanish, Arabic, and Punjabi. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Pakistan, India, the United Kingdom, the Philippines.
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Omar Alghabra, Liberal Candidate for Mississauga Centre
Syrian Canadian Omar Alghabra was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2006 and again in 2015 and 2019. He served as Minister of Transport, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, as well as to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs) and International Trade Diversification.
About Mississauga Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Mississauga Centre is 124,849. Immigrants make up 62% of the population and visible minorities 71%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Arab, and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Urdu, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include India, Pakistan, China, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Mississauga Centre has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
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Shafqat Ali, Liberal Candidate for Brampton Centre
Shafqat Ali is an entrepreneur who has volunteered with youth, including forming a youth sports club, organizing festivals and fundraising for the local hospital, and food bank. He was a leading voice in successfully advocating for the cricket pitch on White Clover Way in Mississauga.
About Brampton Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Brampton Centre is 102,270. Immigrants make up 47% of the population and visible minorities 60%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Filipino, and Latin American. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Punjabi, Urdu, Spanish, and Gujarati. The countries of origin of recent immigrants in this federal riding include India, Jamaica, the Philippines, and Pakistan.
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Guled Arale, NDP Candidate for Scarborough Southwest
As an activist in Scarborough, Guled Arale has helped to make post-secondary education more affordable, tackle systemic racism, save bus routes, and expand recreational programming for lower-income families. He attended the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus and served as Vice President External of the Scarborough Campus Students Union.
About Scarborough Southwest: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Scarborough Southwest is 110,278. Immigrants make up 46% of the population and visible minorities 56%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Filipino, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Bengali, Tagalog, Tamil, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Bangladesh, China, and Sri Lanka.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Scarborough Southwest has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
Website Facebook Instagram Twitter
Ali Ehsassi, Liberal Candidate for Willowdale
Iranian Canadian Ali Ehsassi is a lawyer who has served as the Member of Parliament Willowdale since 2015. He graduated from the University of Toronto (B.A.), attended the London School of Economics (M.Sc.) and received degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B) and Georgetown University in Washington, DC (LL.M).
About Willowdale: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Willowdale in Toronto is 118,801. Immigrants make up 61% of the population and visible minorities 67%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, West Asian (Iranian), Korean, and South Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Persian, Korean, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Iran, China, South Korea, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Willowdale has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
Yavar Hameed, NDP Candidate for Ottawa-West Nepean
Yavar Hameed is a human rights lawyer who has worked for 20 years fighting discrimination, advocating for fair conditions for workers, and promoting access to justice for people in Ottawa.
About Ottawa West-Nepean: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Ottawa West-Nepean is 111,837. Immigrants make up 28% of the population and visible minorities 29%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, Chinese, Arab, and South Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Italian. The countries of origin of recent immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, India, China, and Syria.
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Mohamed Hammoud, Liberal Candidate for London—Fanshawe
A leader with a tech company based in London—Fanshawe for over 18 years, Lebanese Canadian Mohamed Hammoud graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in French and Spanish. He has taught at both Western and Fanshawe and has certification in leadership development, emotional intelligence and adult education.
About London-Fanshawe: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of London-Fanshawe is 119,467. Immigrants make up 22% of the population and visible minorities 19%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Arab, Black, Latin American, and Southeast Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the United Kingdom, Portugal, Poland, and Iraq.
Ahmed Hussen, Liberal Candidate for York South-Weston
Somali Canadian Ahmed Hussen, a lawyer, has served as Member of Parliament for the riding of York South-Weston since 2015. From 2017, Ahmed served as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. In 2019, he was appointed as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
About York South Weston: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of York South Weston is 116,686. Immigrants make up 52% of the population and visible minorities 55%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, Latin American, Filipino, and South Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Vietnamese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Portugal, Jamaica, Italy, and the Philippines.
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Aisha Jahangir, NDP Candidate for Guelph
Pakistani Canadian Aisha Jahangir is a registered nurse specializing in mental health. She has taken up leadership roles in the Ontario Nurses Association, the Ontario Federation of Labour, and Ontario Health Coalition.
According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Guelph is 131,794. Immigrants make up 22% of the population and visible minorities 19%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Chinese, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Vietnamese, Punjabi, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the United Kingdom, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
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Majid Jowhari, Liberal Candidate for Richmond Hill
Iranian Canadian Majid Jowhari was elected as the Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill in 2015.
About Richmond Hill: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Richmond Hill in Toronto is 110,177. Immigrants make up 60% of the population and visible minorities 62%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, West Asian (Iranian), South Asian and Korean. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Cantonese, Mandarin, Persian and Russian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include China & Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Richmond Hill has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
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Iqra Khalid, Liberal Candidate for Mississauga-Erin Mills
Pakistani Canadian Iqra Khalid served as Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Erin Mills since 2015. She chairs the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and as a member of the International Human Rights Subcommittee. She serves as Chair of the Liberal Women’s Caucus and the All-Party Women’s Caucus.
About Mississauga Erin Mills: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Mississauga Erin Mills in Toronto is 122,560. Immigrants make up 55% of the population and visible minorities 64%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Arab and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Urdu, Mandarin, Arabic, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Pakistan, India, China, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Mississauga Erin Mills has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
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Hawa Yahia Mire, NDP Candidate for York South-Weston
Somali Canadian Hawa Yahia Mire is a small business owner and community organizer with two decades of experience transforming the non-profit sector. She completed her Master’s degree at York University in Environmental Studies. She is a commentator and columnist whose work has been featured on Macleans, CBC, and CityTV.
About York South Weston: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of York South Weston is 116,686. Immigrants make up 52% of the population and visible minorities 55%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, Latin American, Filipino, and South Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Vietnamese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Portugal, Jamaica, Italy, and the Philippines.
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Hibo Mohamed, Liberal Candidate for Edmonton-Strathcona
Somali Canadian artist Hibo Mohamed graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Art & Design. She volunteered with the Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton. She worked with ParityYEG ensuring gender diversity in all levels of government and with the YWCA Edmonton.
Edmonton-Strathcona: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Edmonton-Strathcona is 106,066. Immigrants make up 18% of the population and visible minorities 21%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, Filipino, South Asian, and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Tagalog, Spanish, and Arabic. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, the United Kingdom, China, and India.
Habiba Mohamud, Liberal Candidate for Edmonton Griesbach
Born in rural Kenya, Dr. Habiba Mohamud completed her Masters and Ph.D. at the University of Alberta in Agriculture. She spent the last 12 years in public service working for the Government of Alberta.
According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Edmonton Griesbach is 112,287. Immigrants make up 27% of the population and visible minorities 31%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, Chinese, Arab, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Vietnamese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Vietnam, China, and Somalia.
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Syed Mohsin, Conservative Candidate for Surrey-Newton
Syed Mohsin is an entrepreneur and has experience as an elected representative in Bangladesh. When he moved to Canada, his first job was working as an interpreter, where he helped 150 families, primarily refugees, settle down in Canada.
About Surrey-Newton: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Surrey-Newton is 114,605. Immigrants make up 51% of the population and visible minorities 76%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Filipino, Chinese, and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog. The countries of origin of recent immigrants in this federal riding include India, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Somalia.
Maryam Monsef, Liberal Candidate for Peterbourgh-Kawartha
Afghan Canadian Maryam Monsef served as Member of Parliament for Peterborough—Kawartha since 2015. She served as Minister for Democratic Institutions, Minister of International Development, and currently serves as Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Minister of Rural Economic Development.
About Peterborough-Kawartha: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Peterborough-Kawartha is 118,176. Immigrants make up 9% of the population and visible minorities 5%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Black, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Polish, and Korean. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands.
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Huda Mukbil, NDP Candidate for Ottawa-South
Huda Mukbil is an award-winning national security expert with over 18 years of experience in public service. After leaving the federal government due to Islamophobia, she worked as a consultant with the Black Class Action Lawsuit which alleges anti-Black racism in public service. She speaks English, French, Arabic and Harari.
About Ottawa-South: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Ottawa South is 121,058. Immigrants make up 32% of the population and visible minorities 39%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Arab, Black, South Asian, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Mandarin, Somali, and Spanish. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Lebanon, the Philippines, China, and the United Kingdom.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Ottawa-South has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
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Yasir Naqvi, Liberal Candidate for Ottawa Centre
Pakistani Canadian Yasir Naqvi was elected as Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa Centre in October 2007. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2014. He served as the Attorney General of Ontario, Government House Leader, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and Minister of Labour.
According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Ottawa Centre is 118,038. Immigrants make up 20% of the population and visible minorities 20%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, Black, South Asian, and Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, and Spanish. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include China, India, the United States, and the Philippines.
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Taleb Noormohamed, Liberal Candidate for Vancouver-Granville
Taleeb was a senior official in the federal government (2002 to 2007), which included establishing the Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security. He served as Director of the Air India Review Secretariat and Special Advisor to the Hon. Bob Rae. He is CEO at an online marketplace for apparel and home goods.
About Vancouver-Granville: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Vancouver-Granville is 103,456. Immigrants make up 41% of the population and visible minorities 48%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, Filipino, South Asian, and Japanese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Japanese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
Imtiaz Popat, Green Party Candidate for Vancouver-Granville
Imtiaz Popat is a Therapeutic Counsellor who is currently working in public health with the South Asian Health Institute (SAHI) which is a part of Fraser Health. He is a cofounder of The Coalition Against Bigotry – Pacific and the Community Based Anti Hate Task Force.
About Vancouver-Granville: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Vancouver-Granville is 103,456. Immigrants make up 41% of the population and visible minorities 48%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, Filipino, South Asian, and Japanese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Japanese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
Maleeha Shahid, Conservative Candidate for Whitby
Pakistani Canadian Maleeha Shahid was elected to Whitby Town Council as Councillor for East Ward 4 in 2018. She is the Mayor’s designate on the Whitby Public Library Board and the Whitby 55+ Recreation Advisory Committee. She has been self-employed in the real estate sector for over 10 years.
About Whitby: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Whitby is 128,377. Immigrants make up 23% of the population and visible minorities 25%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Urdu, Mandarin, Spanish, and Persian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the United Kingdom, Jamaica, India, and the Philippines.
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Kaukab Usman, NDP Candidate for Mississauga-Erin Mills
Pakistani Canadian Kaukab Usman is an active volunteer who has assisted in community kitchens and is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee of City of Mississauga and assists the Peel Poverty Strategy Action Group.
About Mississauga Erin Mills: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Mississauga Erin Mills in Toronto is 122,560. Immigrants make up 55% of the population and visible minorities 64%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Arab and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Urdu, Mandarin, Arabic, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Pakistan, India, China, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Mississauga Erin Mills has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
Arif Virani, Liberal Candidate for Parkdale–High Park
Ugandan Asian Canadian Arif Virani served as Member of Parliament for Parkdale–High Park since 2015. He was an analyst with the Canadian Human Rights Commission and as an assistant trial attorney at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. He founded the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO).
About Parkdale-High Park: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Parkdale-High Park in Toronto is 108,805. Immigrants make up 32% of the population and visible minorities 26%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Polish, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Poland, the United Kingdom, India, and the Philippines.
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Salma Zahid, Liberal Candidate for Scarborough Centre
Pakistani Canadian Salma Zahid served as Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre since 2015. She chairs the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, and is a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. She presented a successful private member’s motion designating June as Filipino Heritage Month.
About Scarborough Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Scarborough Centre is 112,603. Immigrants make up 56% of the population and visible minorities 70%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Filipino, Black, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Tamil, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, and China.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Scarborough Centre has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
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Rana Zaman, Green Party Candidate for Dartmouth Cole-Harbour
Pakistani Canadian Rana Zaman is an award winning social activist. She is the recipient of RBC’s Top 25 Canada’s Immigrant Award, My Halifax Experience Maritimes Top 25 Immigrant Award and The Coast’s bronze and silver top activist.
About Dartmouth-Cole Harbour: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Dartmouth-Cole Harbour is 92,301. Immigrants make up 7% of the population and visible minorities 9%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Persian. The countries of origin of recent immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Sameer Zuberi, Liberal Candidate for Pierrefonds-Dollard
Sameer Zuberi, who is of South Asian and Scottish-Italian heritage, served as Member of Parliament for Pierrefonds--Dollard since 2019. He holds degrees in law from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and in mathematics from Concordia University. He served in the Black Watch, a Canadian Forces Reserves unit.
About Pierrefonds-Dollard: According to DiversityVotes.ca the population of Pierrefonds-Dollard is 108,587. Immigrants make up 38% of the population and visible minorities 38%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Arab, Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Spanish, Tamil, and Romanian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the India, Philippines, Egypt, and Lebanon.
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