The Republican Party has paltry support among non-white and immigrant voters, a general-election problem for which two solutions are most commonly proposed: explicitly support immigration reform, or bring in even more white voters. Canada’s Conservative Party shows that there’s a third way. Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the CPC has increased its support among immigrants and racial minorities, making the party competitive in communities where the rival Liberal Party used to dominate. How the CPC first accomplished this, and then may have squandered it during this election cycle, should serve as a valuable lesson to the GOP. 

Beginning in 2006, Harper tightly controlled his party and clamped down on xenophobic members who expressed cultural disdain of immigrants. At the same time, led by Minister of Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, the party courted support by emphasizing areas where the party and immigrants align, such as lower taxes and social conservatism. Many Republican reformers have upheld the CPC success as a model to follow. “As center-right parties grapple with the problem of how to appeal to ethnic minorities without compromising their principles, they can look to the Canadian Conservative Party for a solution,” Tim Mak reported in FrumForum in 2010. “Without patronage, Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has executed a minority outreach plan that, for the first time, has started a genuine conversation with immigrant voters—a conversation that has increasingly ended with these voters considering a Conservative vote for the first time.”

But ahead of Monday’s national election, the Harper government has endangered its success in minority outreach by openly running a xenophobic campaign, making a special effort to stir up anxiety about Muslim immigrants. Along with the separatist Bloc Quebecois, the CPC has made an issue of the niqab, the face-covering clothing worn by some Muslim women. Going against court rulings on religious freedom, Harper has insisted that women take off the niqab during citizenship oaths. His party has also floated the idea that the niqab not be allowed in the civil service. On the issue of Syrian refugees, Harper has played up fears that some might be terrorists and used his powers as PM to admit Christian refugees while blocking Muslim ones. Finally, Harper promised to create a “barbaric cultural practices hotline” where Canadians could inform on neighbors adhering to supposedly uncivilized cultural traditions.

During one of the debates held by party leaders, Harper used the phrase “old stock” Canadian, which was widely seen as a dog whistle singling his alignment with the values of white Canadians whose families have been in Canada for many decades. Yet, while Harper is undeniably running a divisive and polarizing campaign, it would be a mistake to think that the divisions he’s creating are simply along white/non-white lines: Many immigrants of color and their Canadian-born children share the wider xenophobia directed against Muslims. According to polling done by University of Toronto political scientist Peter Loewen, foreign-born Canadians are actually more likely to vote Conservative than the native born. 

As Globe and Mail columnist Doug Saunders noted in a column last week, there’s evidence that Harper’s anti-Muslim xenophobia hasn’t hurt him with non-Muslim immigrant groups, where he continues to poll well.

Mr. Harper has probably lost the Muslim vote, but that’s only 3 per cent of Canadians. He and his ethnic-outreach agent, Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, are evidently making a calculated bid to make gains among Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Christian diasporas by playing on their atavistic fears of their Muslim neighbours.

This is a dangerous game…

Building a diverse and inclusive conservative movement ought to have been a historic accomplishment. But by using intolerance to fuel sectarian mistrust, Mr. Harper is damaging that legacy. 

Harper is playing a very effective game of divide-and-conquer with immigrant groups, and he’s doubling down on social conservatism aimed specifically at them. In ads running in ethnic community newspapers aimed at Chinese and Punjabi voters, the CPC has argued that Liberal leader Justin Trudeau “supports the sale of marijuana to children, the expansion of safe injection sites and the establishment of neighbourhood brothels.” Punjabi community leaders have complained that these deceptive ads are aimed at them, saying the ads show that the CPC holds them in low regard and doesn’t think they have access to reliable news sources. 

The CPC’s outreach to immigrant voters has also led to an alliance with Rob Ford, the troubled and controversial former Toronto mayor who gained international renown after being caught on video smoking crack. Ford, known for his opposition to gay rights, remains a popular figure among socially conservative voters, including some immigrants, but a toxic figure to many voters because of his well-documented history of drug abuse, buffoonery, and racism. Ford pointedly snubbed Toronto’s annual Pride parade, which mayors both before and after him attended. Harper himself avoids Pride parades, which all the other major party figures attend. During one of his crack-fueled stupors, Ford referred to Trudeau as a “fag.” Despite this, Harper and his government have recruited Ford to campaign for them.  

In truth, both Harper and Ford show the limits of conservative outreach to immigrant groups and people of color. While it’s true that the two politicians have been more successful in minority outreach than the Republican Party has been, this outreach has been built on fostering other lines of social division, whether against Muslim-Canadians or LGBT communities. Getting some immigrants and non-whites to vote for you by choosing a new scapegoat hardly seems like a promising basis for politics.

The immediate danger for Harper is of falling between two stools. Somepolls show that the politics of xenophobia has turned off immigrants living in large urban centers like Vancouver, while the white nationalist right is unhappy with him for his minority outreach and have labelled him a "cuckservative”—as signs all over downtown Toronto show:

The longer term danger for the CPC is that the Canadian-born children of immigrants tend to be much less socially conservative, which means the basis for the outreach could have a one-generation shelf-life. In fact, the success of this Islamophobia-plus-homophobia strategy might even expire on Monday: The latest polls show the Conservative Party falling behind the Liberals.

Harper is going after Monday. Created too many divisions in Canadian Society. There is a concensus in the electorate that this is the time for change. Good riddance.

Stephen Harper is strumming his last tunes before being turfed out of office on Monday, October 19, 2015.

They should ban that face covering garb these Islamist women wear.  Soon terrorists will hide their identities and create havoc.  Harper does have a point.

I'm not against those wearing a headscarf that wraprs around their necks, but with the face shown. I think it's quite ahem pretty at times when worn by a pretty woman.

I have voted conservative for over 25 years. I am not voting conservative this time around.

Hoping that the party that I will be voting for does not become like the AFC/PNC scums in Guyana.

I don't mind the headscarf, the issue it that black face mask which they wear.  The look like Jihadi John.

I hope Harper wins and in the US I hope we see a Trump/Carson ticket.

Base, Harper's conservatives are going down. Many conservatives including myself are jumping ship.

Harper is History in dis case Baseman banna.

You had a wrong pick last time remember?

PPP lost?

First one will not happen.

Second one is a possibility, however, the Democrats will win the presidential race in 2016.

Why, because he is a bigot like you are anti-Muslim and anti-Black?

it does not matter what you or I like, it is about protecting the rights on minorities. If majority opinion was allowed to decided the rights of individuals then minorities would have none and you would be sitting on a latrine somewhere in Guyana right now washing your batty with your fingers or in India shitting by the roadside cause you would never be in the US.

Baseman, 

you don't support Muslim refugees in Canada, as some do.

So stay whea you dea and we will deal wid Harpa on Monday.

He rass too racial against our constitution, jus like you biased  against the Guyana coalition government.

Don't worry, we pan tap on both issues.    

GOOD TING PPP LOST @Cain  and Jagdeo is burnt toast.  

Yes, it does, there is a huge group who believes this and they will let it be known.

Alyuh bring Guyana dysfunctional model to these lands which was generous to take you out of the desperate sh1thole of your homeland, now you tell then to embrace the same dysfunctional philosophy which caused you to run away.

Rubio will be president. Trump will depart once he achieves his goal of dring Jeb Bush out of the race. The man has no patience to deal with the clowns in the House.  In addition, he is quite liberal in his views, provided that a black man isn't the president.

Wonder how you will pull your hair out your head when the inauguration becomes a hip hop event with Pitbull being the main act. Rubio might even rap his acceptance speech.

This is what baseman was doing until Forbes Burnham taught how to use a flush toilet and what toilet paper was for.

I really don't mind Carson either, he is not bad, quiet pit bull!  Rubio is a clown and loser, not fit!

No No, as far back as I remember in NWD baseman had a flush toilet, unlike that politikamity banna who was swinging in a tree before he was roped and thought to walk upright.

I supported Trudeau in this election because of his father not because of anything that he said or did (although I liked the boxing match). I hope he cooperates with the NDP party in a coalition government and not become an overnight instant little Napoleon if he is elected. 

Like Moses and Ramjattan, AFC's Fat Cats.

is this what you discourse has sunk to buffoon? At least I was making a point about minority while yours was just an attempt to clean your shitty fingers...

People right to call you Indo KKK you have no regards for minority rights.

Baseman, we will not allow Harper, Quebec,  or you to destroy what we value in Canada...Our Religious Rights and Freedom.

The religious face covering is part of our constitution, as our religious rights and freedom.

Open face people in the US has not prevented their terrorism, if that is your only objection.  What I know of you, this really surprise me.

Diversity and acceptance of people as they are, will make the world a   peaceful place.

Making them 'just like us' will only cause animosity and division.        

Carson is too boring.  Plus he doesn't seem to know that Iraq and Afghanistan are very different countries.  He wouldn't approve of you either as to him Hindus and Muslims are no different as you both tend to wear turbans and cover up your women.

Rubio for PRESIDENT!   I want to see him rapping his acceptance speech, having Pitbull as the main act, and to see the GOP go apoplectic when he greets his parents in fluent Cuban SPANISH.

Trump doesn't want to be president.  Just wants to bitch slap Jeb for blocking one of his Florida deals.  And having fun fooling people like you that he is actually a conservative.  Trump is no more conservative than Cuomo.  Just doesn't want to pay taxes.

Yes, when you were doing national service at Papaya. Tell Fat Boy thanks for allowing you to learn about amenities which were available since the late 19th C.

Tell you what.  Trump isn't really interested.  Carson is too boring.  Jeb is collapsing.  Ted Cruz is as nutty as you are.  Fiorina is an Angry Female, so scares the GOP base.

The GOP will rally around the only moderate candidate who is getting some poll numbers.  Rubio........then Hillary will wipe him out in the debates, and he will rush off the stage crying for his mummy.