Canadian Race Relations Foundation Denounces Anti-Immigrant Flyers as Racist

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Race Relations Foundation once again denounced anti-immigrant flyers singling out the Sikh community circulating in the Brampton, Ontario area.  By crossing out the image of a Sikh individual while raising the fear of a "massive third world invasion of Canada" and claiming that "white Canadians" were being reduced to a "minority", the creators of the flyers have crossed the line from dialogue into outright racism.  

According to Rubin Friedman, Spokesperson for the Foundation,  "The image and wording are deeply offensive.  This is one more example of how issues such as municipal housing density can go off the rails when turned into an exercise on race.  It is disturbing to say the least that the authors of this despicable piece have rejected what is at the core of being Canadian – diversity and mutual respect - while trying to raise fear and prejudice.  Both diversity and immigration are central to Canada's history and therefore its strength."    

Albert Lo, Chairperson of the Foundation concluded, "Racism is never a basis for dialogue.  No dialogue can take place when those responsible do not have the courage to put their name to their words.   The Foundation denounced the past occurrence of a disturbing flyer in the same area which opened the door to those wishing to articulate their prejudices by using misleading images.  This latest flyer shows what happens when you go further down that path right into overt racism."   

Read the 2014 Survey Report. on Religious Diversity, Racism and Intergroup Relations done by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation in cooperation with the Association for Canadian Studies.  The survey showed that, compared to other forms of prejudice, Canadians had the highest levels of concern about increased levels of racism in general (62%) and anti-immigrant sentiment in particular (49%).

SOURCE: Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Rubin Friedman, CRRF Board Member and Spokesperson, 647-403-8526; or Anita Bromberg, Executive Director, 416 508 9033