Honourable Senators, I would like to rise to speak out against the surge of hate that has done significant harm to Canada’s Asian community.
Diversity is one of Canada’s greatest strengths. Countries around the world look to us as a model of inclusiveness. This, in turn, has made our nation one of the best countries to live and immigrate to in the world.
I believe I have a duty to stand here, before the Chamber, to give voice to the experiences of my Asian community and condemn the escalation of anti-Asian sentiment.
Sadly, anti-Asian racism has a long history in Canada. However, the latest anti-Asian sentiment has been carelessly instigated by individuals and organizations since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Allow me to share some frightening statistics:
– Vancouver Police data shows a 717% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes since last March.
– Here, the Ottawa Police recorded a 600% increase in hate crimes towards the Asians from 2019 to 2020.
– The Chinese Canadian National Council has documented over 1,000 reported incidents of anti Asian racism since early 2020, 60% of which were reported by women.
Many of our other cities have also reported these surges, with incidents ranging from verbal and violent attacks to the vandalization of Asian-owned businesses.
Our US neighbours have also witnessed the same rise in violence. NYPD data shows hate crimes motivated by anti-Asian sentiment surged by 1,900% in 2020. Last month, a man of Asian descent was slashed across the face while riding on the New York City Subway because of his race. It is a sad reality that people of Asian descent have to face the threat of racist attacks in their everyday lives.
I believe we are in a moment of reckoning where we must all take a stand. This must stop. My community is experiencing misguided harassment and enduring threats and intimidation. Even I, as an Honourable Senator, have been targeted. Here, at the foot of our beloved Parliament Building, I was intimidated and assailed with racial slurs not long ago.
To my fellow Asian-Canadians, I ask you to continue to be brave; speak up and voice your concerns. And to my colleagues, I ask you to amplify your outrage and publicly condemn these disturbing acts of hate.
There is no tolerance for any form of racism in our country. We must work together as Canadians to stop this violence and hate.