According to the 2019 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety, nearly 30% of Chinese individuals aged 15 and over experienced discrimination or unfair treatment in their daily lives during the five years leading up to the survey. This is almost twice the rate of discrimination experienced by the non-racialized population. In 2019, the proportion of these individuals who experienced discrimination was almost double the rate found in the 2014 survey. The most common places where discrimination occurred were stores, banks, and restaurants, followed by the workplace, schools, border crossings, and dealing with police or courts. Discrimination was frequently based on race or skin colour, ethnicity or culture, and language. Although most Chinese individuals had confidence in the police, it was slightly lower than the non-racialized population. Compared to other racialized and non-racialized people, Chinese individuals were less likely to have contact with the police or the criminal court system.
Survey on Chinese Individuals
The findings from the 2019 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety shed light on a significant and concerning aspect of societal dynamics: the prevalence of discrimination and unfair treatment experienced by individuals aged 15 and over from Chinese backgrounds in Canada. The data reveals that nearly 30% of Chinese individuals faced discrimination or unfair treatment during the five years leading up to the survey. This striking statistic is almost double the rate experienced by the non-racialized population, underlining the challenges and disparities faced by this particular community.
Comparing the results to the previous survey in 2014, it becomes evident that the issue has intensified over the years. The proportion of Chinese individuals encountering discrimination in 2019 was nearly twice as high as the rate recorded in 2014. This upward trajectory raises concerns about the factors contributing to this rise and emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues on a broader societal level.
The locations where this discrimination predominantly occurs offer insight into the various contexts where individuals from the Chinese community experience these distressing incidents. Stores, banks, and restaurants emerged as the most common settings for these incidents to transpire. This underscores the notion that these everyday environments, which should ideally be inclusive and respectful, can unfortunately harbor instances of prejudice and discrimination.
However, the impact of discrimination reaches beyond these commercial spaces. Workplaces, schools, border crossings, and interactions with the police or courts were also cited as contexts where discriminatory incidents occurred. The breadth of settings highlights the pervasive nature of this issue and underscores the need for comprehensive measures to create an environment that fosters equality and respect for individuals from all backgrounds.
The grounds for discrimination were found to be primarily centered around race or skin color, ethnicity or culture, and language. These deeply ingrained biases underscore the complexity of the issue, revealing that discrimination often stems from preconceived notions and stereotypes related to cultural and racial differences. Addressing these deeply rooted biases requires multifaceted efforts to promote understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of diverse identities.
It is noteworthy that while the majority of Chinese individuals expressed confidence in the police, their level of confidence was slightly lower compared to the non-racialized population. This observation indicates that there may be specific factors influencing the perception of law enforcement within the Chinese community. Further exploration of these factors could provide valuable insights into building stronger bonds of trust between law enforcement agencies and the Chinese population.
Additionally, it is intriguing to observe that, relative to both racialized and non-racialized individuals, those from Chinese backgrounds were less likely to have contact with the police or the criminal court system. This divergence in interactions with law enforcement signifies the unique dynamics shaping the Chinese community’s relationship with the criminal justice system. A comprehensive understanding of these dynamics could pave the way for more targeted initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity, understanding, and cooperation.
In conclusion, the revelations stemming from the 2019 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety underscore the pressing need to address the rising rates of discrimination and unfair treatment experienced by individuals of Chinese descent in Canada. The disparities highlighted by the survey demand collaborative efforts from individuals, communities, institutions, and policymakers to create a society where diversity is celebrated, and discrimination is eradicated. By acknowledging the challenges and working together, Canadians can strive towards a more equitable and harmonious future for all.
