Chicago – May 02, 2025
Canada’s 2025 federal election has marked a historic breakthrough for Muslim representation, with 13 Muslim Members of Parliament elected to the House of Commons, up from 11 in the previous legislature.
Experts say, this unprecedented increase underscores the growing political clout of Muslim Canadians, particularly in urban centres like the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where Muslims now make up 12–14% of the population.
While 13 Muslim candidates succeeded to get into the Parliament, 21 several others came remarkably close — finishing second with strong voter support.
The campaign trail was deeply influenced by global events — chief among them, Israel’s war in Palestine. The ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine dominated voter concerns in mosques, community halls, and social media debates.
The issue of Palestine became a moral barometer for many, with candidates’ positions on Gaza, ceasefire demands, and humanitarian aid under close scrutiny.
In response, more than 100 Muslim organisations from coast to coast rallied around a shared mandate: to vote with a conscience rooted in justice, dignity, and equity.
The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) led the way with its MuslimsVote.ca campaign, endorsing 45 candidates based on their commitment to human rights, civil liberties, and foreign policy values.
Simultaneously, over 300 candidates signed onto the “Vote Palestine” platform, calling for a bolder Canadian stance on Palestinian rights. Several of the winning MPs backed this initiative, helping translate grassroots mobilisation into historic electoral gains.
The election results have led to a diverse and more representative Parliament, especially for communities often sidelined in national politics.
The newly elected 13 Muslim MPs reflect Canada’s pluralism — spanning backgrounds from Lebanon, Pakistan, Iran, Somalia, Türkiye, and more.
The Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, secured 168 seats, forming a minority government, just four seats short of a majority.
The Conservatives, under Pierre Poilievre, won 144 seats — though Poilievre himself lost his seat in Carleton, Ontario. The Bloc Québécois gained 23 seats, the NDP collapsed to just 5, and the Green Party retained 1.
