Inquiry launched into assaults on Asian anglers

The Ontario Human Rights Commission has launched an inquiry following numerous reports of verbal and physical assaults against Asian-Canadian anglers in small towns across the province.

The probe will be headed up by former Toronto mayor and Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall, in partnership with the Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic.

Over the last few months, police in various jurisdictions have investigated at least eight reports of physical attacks on Asian-Canadian anglers. In some cases, the victims were pushed into the water.

Racial slurs have also been hurled, and in some altercations, fishing equipment was damaged or stolen.

Police have laid charges in several incidents.

In one confrontation last month, a father and son were charged with assault after an Asian fisherman was attacked in a central Ontario community. Police accused one of the suspects of posing as a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer.

In another incident near Kingston, a 73-year-old man was beaten unconscious and his son-in-law was thrown off a three-metre high bridge.

York Regional Police say they have laid charges in four of six known incidents that have occurred within the last six months at Lake Simcoe, in the town of Georgina.

In each of the cases, Asian-Canadian anglers were assaulted and pushed into the water without doing anything to provoke the attacks.

The attacks prompted advocates for the Chinese community to urge police to label the acts labelled hate crimes.

Hall said there have been anecdotal reports of other victims who have been afraid to come forward. She hopes the inquiry will convince those people to tell their stories.

The Human Rights Commission has launched the inquiry because it is believed the victims are being targeted because of their nationality.

"By hearing first-hand accounts from individuals who have been subjected to such assaults, we can support affected individuals and communities as well as help government ministries, local municipal representatives, police services and sport and recreational organizations in their efforts to defuse tension and conflict situations when they arise," Hall stated in a press release.

Members of the Asian-Canadian community across the province are relieved the issue is finally being investigated, because for far too long it seemed like no one cared, said Susan Eng of the Reference Group, an anti-racism organization.

"The most important part of this is it answers the question of who else cares, to the individuals who have to go home at night and explain to their son why their cellphone is soaking wet, and where the rest of their fishing gear is," Eng said.

A telephone hotline and online questionnaire are being set up to receive the information. From Nov. 7 to Dec. 6, individuals who have experienced or witnessed such incidents can share their stories by telephone, through the web or in writing.

By telephone: [phone]; or Toll free at 1-866-237-1897 -- services will be available in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean and Tagalog

Via the web: An online survey can be completed at www.ohrc.on.ca.

In writing: Submissions may be sent by mail or fax. If responding in writing you must provide contact details: name, address, phone number, e-mail address (for verification, not publication).

Send your written comments to:

Ontario Human Rights Commission
Inquiry Into Assaults On Asian Canadian Anglers
180 Dundas Street West
7th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 2R9
Fax: [phone]

With files from The Canadian Press