Why has Vancouver seen a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes? Expert says pandemic not the only factor
The COVID-19 pandemic may have marked a significant increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in Metro Vancouver, but one expert from the University of British Columbia says the Asian community has been blamed for other issues in the past, like housing costs.
John Paul Catungal, an assistant professor at UBC, told CTV Morning Live Tuesday there is a "deep-seated" history of anti-Asian racism across Canada, adding that the Asian community is often scapegoated for a variety of issues.
"I think this is baked into a lot of societal attitudes about the place of people of colour in this country, so it's an easy out. Every time there's a problem, these kinds of scapegoating practices tend to crop up," he said.
"In the last couple of years we've seen the rise of slurs and violent incidents targeting Asian Canadian communities, particularly being blamed for not only the pandemic."
Catungal explained housing and affordability issues in Metro Vancouver have also led to Asians being targeted in hate crimes.
"The kind of blame being placed on foreign communities, so the language of foreignness, designates Asian communities as outside the Canadian nation and Canadian society," he said.
A report from last year suggested Vancouver saw more reported anti-Asian hate crimes in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic than any other city in North America.
The issue is so significant, it prompted B.C.'s Human Rights Commissioner's Office to focus its first inquiry into hate incidents experienced during the pandemic. As of February, the office had gathered reports from more than 1,700 people.
To move forward, Catungal said it's important to acknowledge the links between discrimination that different communities face and to support solidarity efforts.
"Listening to communities and paying attention to the real efforts to bring people together, recognizing that there are differences in experiences between communities is really important," he said.
"So supporting organizing efforts, inviting people into decision-making tables, so that the decisions facing our communities get to be part of the agenda for change is really quite necessary."
Catungal's comments were part of a four-minute interview on CTV Morning Live. Watch the full interview in the video player above.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.