The Hong Kong Chinese community is an affluent, educated, and swelling population in the Greater Toronto Area. The enigma is why they have only made marginal inroads into the political arena. Olivia Chow, a Metro councilor representing the Downtown ward says 'this community has potential to be very powerful...it's nowhere near its potential.' Chow is the highest-profile Hong Kong expatriate to win elected office in the GTA. Others include Tam Goosen, Soo Wong, …showed first 75 words of 707 total…

…showed last 75 words of 707 total…is because the ethnic communities could not support a female leader, to me, it's pouring salt on insult,' Ling says. Now he has switched his loyalties, including financial support, to the Harris government. Dr. Alan Li, says the Hong Kong community faces several barriers to becoming a political force. And, he says, while Hong Kong immigrants are viewed as wealthy, starting a new life in Canada is a real challenge for many of them.