May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada. The history of Asian immigration in Canada can be traced back to more than 150 years ago when Chinese workers arrived on the west coast to build the Pacific Railway. In 2002, as a result of a motion proposed by the first Senator of Asian descent, Vivienne Poy, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.

While we celebrate and acknowledge the tremendous contributions made by Asian Canadians throughout our workplaces and communities, we also recognize the increase in anti-Asian racism in recent years. During the Covid- 19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in hate crimes against our Asian Canadian friends, colleagues, and neighbours. Many racist attacks are fuelled by long-standing racist stereotypes about people of Asian descent.  We need to stand together and provide the support they need not only in the month of May but throughout the year. CEIU supports the calls for the federal government Anti-Racism Strategy and the National Action Plan on Combatting Hate to include and address incidents of hate against Asian Canadians.

CEIU encourages its members to attend Asian Heritage month events in your area.

Resources:

Canadian Heritage: Events in Asian Canadian History

Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Canadian Heritage: Addressing Anti-Asian Racism

Resources for Combatting Anti-Asian Racism & Learning About Canadians of Asian Descent (in English only)