Ethnic Minority Representation in Canada’s Fourth Party System.

Abstract: The study identifies the factors associated with the nomination and election prospects of white ethnic and visible minority candidates in three Canadian elections held between 1993 and 2000. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses identified how party affiliation, the geographic location of a riding, incumbency, local party competitiveness, riding cultural heterogeneity, campaign spending, minority competition, and a candidate’s racial or ethnic background influenced electoral outcomes for 3,634 candidates. Interviews were also conducted with minority politicians representing the five main parties, in order to delineate how party gatekeepers, access to campaign funds and volunteers and media coverage of their local campaigns, influenced their prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]