Anti-Asian Racism in Canada: The Story of the Numbers

Abstract

This paper delves into the ongoing issue of anti-Asian racism in Canada, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being a diverse country, Canada has a long-standing history of discrimination towards people of Asian heritage. The Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, with a significant increase in reported crimes and incidents of racism towards Asian or Asian-appearing individuals.

The paper focuses on identifying and interpreting the most relevant data from various sources on anti-Asian racism in Canada during the pandemic. The author aims to compare and contrast these data sets to understand the underlying trends and factors that contribute to anti-Asian racism in Canada. However, the author notes the challenges of relying on available data sets to inform the public and policymakers. Officially collected crime statistics and non-official online self-reporting data have their limitations in accurately reflecting the scope of anti-Asian racism in the country. 

The paper concludes that accurate statistics are essential in combating anti-Asian racism in Canada. However, the lack of reliable data is concerning. The author emphasizes the importance of continuing the search for better ways to collect accurate statistics while being cautious in using existing data to avoid misleading the public and policymakers.

Overall, this paper highlights the urgent need for Canada to address the issue of anti-Asian racism, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a call to action for policymakers, activists, and the public to work together towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society.