without a single black Member. While approximately 22.8 percent of the population of Ontario are visible minorities, there are only 11 persons of colour among the 107 Members of the Ontario Legislature. Most of the visible minority Members are of South Asian heritage. One Member is Chinese. In Canada, visible minorities make up approximately 20 percent of the population. Approximately 4.1 percent are South Asian, approximately 4 percent are Chinese, approximately 3.8 percent are Aboriginal and approximately 2.5 percent are Black. As is the case in Ontario, visible minority representation in the Parliament of Canada, does not come close to being reflective of the country’s demographics. Visible minorities, also referred to as racialized groups, face a variety of challenges, in disproportionate numbers, significantly limiting their opportunities to participate fully as members of Canadian society, and profiling them as somewhat inferior to others who are not racialized. Between 1980 and 2000, the poverty rate amongst racialized families in Toronto, the capital city of Ontario, and Canada’s largest city by population, rose by 361 percent, while poverty amongst non-racialized families fell by 28 percent. Approximately 47 percent of Toronto’s residents are 3