Duceppe says Martin could lose riding
Last Updated: Saturday, January 14, 2006 | 4:30 PM ET
CBC News
Martin won the riding by a margin of 25,806 to 14,001 votes.
Duceppe was campaigning on Saturday in the riding of Jeanne Le Bar, right next door to Martin's LaSalle-Émard riding in southwest Montreal, where Bloc candidate May Chiu is focusing on the anger over the Liberal government's refusal to offer an official apology for the Chinese Head Tax.
Speaking to members of Montreal's Chinese community, the Bloc leader said Martin's personal apology last month wasn't enough. Duceppe is demanding the next government issue an official apology and compensation for the Chinese Head Tax.
Gilles Duceppe poses with candidate May Chiu during a campaign stop in Montreal on Saturday. (CP Photo)
Walter Chi-Yan Tom, who belongs to the Chinese Canadian Redress Alliance, said he is voting for the Bloc Québécois, even though he doesn't support Quebec independence.
He said the Liberal government has shown serious disrespect over the head tax his ancestors were forced to pay when they immigrated at the beginning of the 20th century.
Chiu said she hopes to draw votes from some 5,000 Chinese Canadians in LaSalle Émard who have traditionally voted Liberal.
"I think people are very, very cynical toward the Liberal party, and if people want a real choice, and a real change, you just have to compare my profile with Paul Martin's," she said.
