Children First Canada is saddened by the alarming rise in anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past year, Asian children and their families have experienced harassment, bullying and physical attacks that have caused widespread fear and trauma.
While the pandemic has brought racism to the forefront, we acknowledge that this lived experience is not new. Dating back to the 1800s, anti-Asian systemic racism is a part of our Canadian history. Asian Canadians were historically denied voting rights, banned from working in certain sectors, and faced racial segregation in schools.
Racism profoundly impacts the physical and mental health of children and youth. This injustice threatens their human rights to survival and development, and it cannot be tolerated. At Children First Canada, we stand with the Asian community at this time, and we stand against all forms of racism.