Anti-Asian Racism
Durham Region is committed to raising awareness and actively working towards challenging anti-Asian racism. Our goal is to dispel myths and misconceptions, promote cultural diversity, and champion positive changes where all people are valued and can feel safe in our communities through educational initiatives. Over these past few years, there has been an increase of incidents of anti-Asian violence. Durham Region stands with our Asian-Canadian colleagues and community members.
Did you know
There are approximately 48 countries located in Asia and therefore, at least 48 different ways people can identify as having Asian descent.
- In Canada's 2016 Census, more than six million people in Canada reported having Asian origins, representing 17.7 per cent of the nation's population.
Almost half of the immigrant population in Canada was born in Asia. In 2016, 48.1 per cent of all immigrants were born in Asia (including the Middle East).
The Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce (DRART) is part of the Region's commitment to develop and implement an Anti-Racism Framework to ensure a healthy workplace and to address racism within the communities the Region serves.
For further information about anti-Asian racism, please see the resources below.

Tools and Resources
Learn about the lived experiences and histories of people who come from or whose ancestors come from Asia, including events that perpetuate anti-Asian racism and stereotypes.
- A Year of Racist Attacks: Anti-Asian Racism Across Canada One Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic - Report
- TIMELINE: This is Canada's history of anti-Asian racism that COVID-19 has amplified
- Mental health impacts of anti-East Asian racism during pandemic (Article)
- One year later, COVID-19 still fans the flames of anti-Asian racism
- Fight Covid Racism
- Government of Canada - Addressing anti-Asian racism
- What to say and do in response to racism
- How to Respond to Coronavirus Racism
- Pandemic Rapid-response Optimization to Enhance Community-Resilience and Health - Staying Healthy
- Addressing Anti-Asian Racism: A Resource for Educators – Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
- Resources guide: responding to anti-Asian racism – Asian Institute, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto
- Talking to your kids about racism
- #Elimin8Hate (1:30 mins)
- Eyes Open: An Anti-Asian Racism PSA (2:32 mins)
- This is what anti-Asian racism looks like in Canada (6:26 mins)
- Heritage Minutes: Nitro (1 min)
- Heritage Minutes: Vancouver Asahi (1 min)
- The Problem with Apu (49 mins)
- Recipe for Change (55 mins)
- Reel Asian International Film Festival

Community Organizations
Looking for a community organization to connect with, get support, or simply learn more about – explore the options below. If you would like to suggest additions to this list, please contact our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division.
South Asian and Indo-Canadians
- Indo-Canadian Cultural Association of Durham (ICCAD)
- Durham Tamil Association
- Durham Educators’ Network for South Asians
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir & Cultural Center
- Council of Agencies Serving South Asians
- South Asian Community Health Services
- South Asian Canadians Health & Social Services
- South Asian Women's Centre
- Indo-Caribbean Canadian Association
- Durham Immigration Portal
- Durham Community Safety and Well-Being: Information Hub
- Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham Region
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Asian Canadian Educators Network
- Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers
- Muslim Welfare House
- Settlement.org
- Act2EndRacism.ca
- Asian Community AIDS Services
There are approximately 48 countries located in Asia and therefore, at least 48 different ways people can identify as having Asian descent.