FOR the first time in Canadian history, two Hongkong immigrants have won the opportunity to represent constituencies in Canada's next federal election, expected to be held in October.
The nominations are being heralded as a landmark event for Hongkong immigrants to Canada, signalling a growing political voice for all of the country's Asian communities.
Raymond Chan, a University of British Columbia (UBC) engineer, narrowly defeated his opponent, Indo-Canadian businessman Herb Dhaliwal, to become the Liberal Party candidate in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Vancouver dentist Wan Kin-kong won the Progressive Conservative Party nomination for Vancouver South, defeating businessman Geoff Chutter in the largest nomination meeting anywhere in Canada.
''We can really declare the Liberal Party is a true rainbow party that has not only Caucasians but also those people from all around the world,'' Mr Chan said in his acceptance speech.
''It's a great start to my political career.
