Anti-Asian Hate Reports Surge In U.S.—But It May Be Far Worse In Canada
A Thursday report from Stop AAPI Hate, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, said reports of anti-Asian hate incidents in the U.S. jumped by almost 74% year-over-year in March – with Chinese as victims in 44% of such acts – but the situation maybe even worse in Canada, specifically Vancouver.
KEY FACTS
Vancouver, where 42% of the population are of Asian descent and at least 25% speak Chinese—making it the most heavily Asian city in North America—witnessed a staggering 717% year-over-year surge in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
More anti-Asian hate crimes were reported in Vancouver (a city of 700,000 people) last year than were reported in the 10 largest U.S. cities combined, Bloomberg reported.
A poll taken in April by marketing research firm Insights West revealed that 83% of Asians in British Columbia said racism is a “serious problem” in the province and that 43% of Asians have endured acts of hate, including racial slurs, property damage and assault, in the past year.
In the first few months of 2021, more anti-Asian hate crimes have been reported in the Vancouver area, including an assault on a family in Victoria, B.C.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
"When the pandemic happened, it exacerbated the whole situation," said Queenie Choo, CEO of Success, a Vancouver nonprofit organization that helps new immigrants, reported Voice of America. "As you might [have] already heard, some people said, ‘that is a China virus.’ So that didn't help the situation either. ... [we have] people living in fear, literally, especially women, seniors and immigrants.”
KEY BACKGROUND
Vancouver has been transformed by immigration from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong in recent decades, with wealthy Chinese buying up expensive properties across the city and region and investing heavily in local businesses, creating some jealousy and resentment among locals. But long before this recent influx of Chinese people and money, prejudice was rife in Canada. In 1923, Canada passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which largely prohibited immigration from China for 24 years. By the 1970s, however, Canada needed foreign workers, liberalized immigration laws and attracted tens of thousands of Chinese from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. By the 1980s, moneyed Chinese investors began pouring cash into Vancouver.
SURPRISING FACT
Vancouver now boasts the most expensive real estate property in Canada – with the average house selling for about $1.23 million in the first quarter up 17.9% over the past year.
TANGENT
Anti-Asian hate incidents have been reported across Canada. A March report by the Chinese Canadian National Council’s Toronto Chapter, logged more than 1,150 cases between February 2020 and March 2021. “Collectively and individually, these racist incidents have resulted in deep and long-lasting impacts on the Asian Canadian community as a whole,” Avvy Go, clinic director of the Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, stated.