Chinese BQ candidate creates controversy
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 | 12:39 PM ET
CBC News
May Chiu is getting a negative reaction in the Chinese community for running against the Liberals in the riding of LaSalle-Êmard.
- RIDING PROFILE: LaSalle-Êmard
J.K. Wong, President of Montreal's Chinese Cultural Centre, said that for more than 50 years, the Chinese community has voted Liberal.
May Chiu, Bloc Québécois candidate.
"I think May Chiu chose the wrong party," Wong said. "If May Chiu runs as a Liberal, I think the Chinese community would support her."
But that's exactly why Chiu made her choice: "I don't want the Liberals to take minorities for granted any more," she said.
"I want to be able to tell them if you don't pay attention to us we will use our votes and we will kick you out of power."
The 40-year-old single mother and former head of Chinese Family Services didn't expect her candidacy would cause a controversy, but a pollster says he's not surprised.
"I think people outside the community might see her as being very courageous," said Christian Bourque of Léger Marketing. "But certainly it does have this look of: 'Why are you almost being a traitor to how your community traditionally votes?'"
Chiu's efforts to win votes for the Bloc are expected to be cut short soon. She's pregnant with her second child and is due on election day.
