The COVID-19 outbreak has led to an increase in acts and displays prejudice, xenophobia, discrimination, violence, and racism against Asian descent in Canada.
AActs of racism related to COVID-19 are disturbingly common in Canadian neighbourhoods, and significant anti-Asian bias is spreading in Canada’s largest cities, a new poll reveals.
As the number of cases and deaths of the coronavirus continues to rise, so does the concern of the racism and xenophobia faced by East Asian communities all around the world. During this special edition of Living In Colour, host Farah Nasser talks with Dr. Joseph Wong, founder and chair of Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, as well as Kennes Lin, Co-chair of the Chinese Canadian National Council – Toronto chapter, about the coronavirus, best practices to keep safe, the misinformation being spread, and how this is all affecting the East Asian community.
Public health officials have become Canada’s darlings during the Covid-19 pandemic, but their new celebrity has also made them targets of criticism and online abuse.
Asian Americans report being spit on, yelled at, even threatened in the streets. There has been a recent stabbing in Montréal and increased violent targeting of Asian businesses. Asian Americans reported over 650 racist attacks over one week.
Dr. Gina Ko says her students are worried after seeing news reports of Chinese people being targetted amid the pandemic.
Given the rise in racial discrimination, particularly against individuals of Asian origin, across the country and around the world, the Canadian Human Rights Commission has called attention to its impact on public safety and fundamental human rights.