Cameroon: First African MP in Canada; on 28 June, Maka Kotto Became the First African to Be Elected to the Canadian House of Commons, on the Ticket of the Bloc Quebecois, a Party Dedicated to Quebec Independence. Robin Philpot Reports from Montreal

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"The symbol is powerful," says Maka Kotto, the new MP for Saint-Lambert in Canada, located just south of Montreal, whose black population is less than 3%. "It is a symbol of open-mindedness. I received massive support from French-speaking Quebecois who had rarely ever ventured beyond Quebec's borders."

All the more significant considering Kotto was born some 7,500 miles away in Douala, Cameroon, and has lived in Quebec for "only" 15 years. His main political opponent in the constituency, whom he ran against and beat, was born and raised in Saint-Lambert.

Kotto worked as an actor, author and director after graduating from the Conservatoire Libre de Cinema Francais in Paris. He attributes his immigration to …