From: The Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples/Bangladeshis/Aminur Rahim
Bangladeshis are known to have two passions: politics and poetry. Since their number is small and they are widely scattered throughout the metropolitan areas, they have been unable to function as a voting bloc or to form a pressure group within the Canadian political system. Aside from providing nominal support for the mainstream parties, Bangladeshis are not yet involved, directly or indirectly, in federal, provincial, or municipal politics. This indifference may have arisen from their immigrant outlook, which is divided between Bangladesh and Canada. It also in part stems from their inability to organize as a cohesive ethnic group. They are instead split into groups and factions. Consequently, internal community concerns and politics in Bangladesh take precedence over local, provincial, and national politics. Bangladeshis are much more prone to participate in community-related politics that affect their own affairs. This activity revolves around personalities rather than the collective needs of the community and reflects feudal ideology and practices, such as acquiring the power to increase one’s personal status. Bangladeshis have thus been isolated from mainstream politics, and they have also insulated themselves from others.
