Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate Asian communities, representing diversity in more than 45 countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Western Asia, and Central Asia.  

As a union, PSAC is committed to continue fighting for safer and more inclusive workplaces and communities. This fight requires action from all levels of government, institutions, unions, and allies. While gains have been made, and the Canada we live in today is more inclusive than ever before, racism and discrimination – including anti-Asian hate – persist in our workplaces, unions and communities. 

Despite being almost half of Canada’s immigrant population, Asian communities are still under-represented in workplaces, including in senior leadership positions.      

• Unemployment rates for Asian communities including South Asian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean, and Japanese communities remain higher than non-racialized workers. 
• Recent stats show that poverty rates for South Asian (7.5%) and Chinese communities (9.6%) are higher than the national average of 5.5%.   
• A 2020 national study found that South Asian women have almost twice the national unemployment rate (20.4 per cent compared to 11.3 per cent). South Asian women are also more likely to be both underemployed and underpaid compared to non-visible minority women. 

Take action and get informed

• Add your name to a petition by the Migrants Rights Network demanding #StatusforAll migrants In Canada
• Read ‘White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver’ published this year by Henry Tsang with a contribution from the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA)
• Read a new report by the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter (CCNCTO) on anti-Asian racism during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Discover resources about cross-racial solidarity from Project 1907