We call on our Government leaders to speak, act and stand with targeted communities, against anti-Chinese and anti-Asian racism related to linkages between the COVID-19 pandemic and China.
The most recent remarks, made by Derek Sloan, MP from Ontario, show the kind of racist attitudes that are surfacing during this COVID-19 pandemic. There is no excuse for those who would use the crisis to scapegoat, revile and cast doubt on the loyalty and credibility of Canadian representatives.
Sloan is quoted as saying, “Tam must go!”, asking, “Does she work for Canada or China?”. These kinds of remarks have no place in modern Canadian society and, by a Member of Parliament, are unacceptable. Conservative leader Andrew Scheer has yet to denounce Sloan and is refusing to comment.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer, has been working hard, coordinating with the World Health Organization and provincial counterparts across the country and world, to control the spread of the COVID-19 in Canada.
The National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) joins with a network of other Asian Canadians who have come together out of concern for the escalating incidents of verbal and violent attacks against Asian Canadians. Allowing hate to rise against any racialized vulnerable group diminishes the ability of our communities and our country to act in solidarity – as we must – to overcome this world-wide pandemic.
The NAJC’s Human Rights Committee is now collecting these stories, in order to assess needs, raise awareness, and respond. We encourage you to fill out an online form (see link below) to report a story of anti-Asian racism related to COVID-19. Only share as much as you’re comfortable sharing. Responses to questions marked as (OPTIONAL) will only be used to follow up with you and to determine next steps.
The NAJC was formed in 1947 to fight for the rights of 22,000 Japanese Canadians who were stripped of their rights and interned during and after the Second World War. In 1988, the Canadian Government acknowledged and apologized for the injustices. The NAJC strives for equal rights and liberties for all people, in particular racial and ethnic minorities.
