Canada boasts of multiculturalism with both European and Asian Canadians forming almost 40% of the total population of the country. From a free-funded healthcare system to easy immigration point-based system, the country until now looked like the best option and the safest haven for immigrants. While superficially it still looks as if every citizen irrespective of his origin is enjoying a safe and secure life in Canada, slowly ugly things are coming out which points out to an anti-Asian racist wave similar to what is taking place in the USA.
Canadians With Asian Decent Facing Abuse and Violence
A report supported by the Canadian government has revealed that Canadians of Asian origin have been subjected to abuse and violence by their countrymen. The report has been compiled by several civic groups including the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice. Titled “anti-Asian racism across Canada one year into the Covid-19 pandemic” it records research conducted from March 10, 2020, to Feb. 28, 2021, related to anti-Asian activities. The racist violence against Asians in Canada included verbal harassment, physical assaults, and spitting and coughing on victims.
In a span of just one year around 98 anti-Asian hate violence and crime incidents were booked by police in Vancouver alone. The major problem is wealthy Chinese settlers who have bought most of the cream properties while the others with fewer resources in hand are left poor, homeless, and alone on the streets. The recent updates confirm that Canadian Asians are subjected to as much racism abuse as their US counterparts if not less.
Asians in Canada Are Feeling Hurt and Afraid of Abuse and Violence
With the racism issues against the Asians based in Canada on the rise, many Asian immigrants are feeling hurt and most of them are afraid of the abuse and violence that may come their way. In her recent interview, the minister of small business, export promotion, and international trade, Mary Ng expressed concern over these happenings. She said, “It’s very difficult and the stories that I hear are absolutely heartbreaking across the country.”
She even shared a message from the mother of a friend who is afraid to go out and was planning to buy pepper spray for her protection. Unfortunately, the spike in corona cases has further escalated these incidences of hate and abuse against Canadians of Asian descent. Vancouver recorded 717 percent growth in such cases which is a great cause of concern currently for the federal government. While the majority of these attacks were kind of verbal harassment, 11% of victims reported physical violence, unwanted physical contact, and aggression.
Some victims even reported being spat or coughed at which is a grave crime considering how the coronavirus spreads very rapidly through saliva and air droplets.