Eye-Opening Study Reveals Discrimination 'Everywhere' in London and Middlesex: A Call for Community Action

A recent study commissioned by the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership with the Network for Economic and Social Trends at the University of Western, provides the first localized data on experiences of discrimination from Immigrants, Visible Minorities and Indigenous Peoples in the area.

Within this data, we have gained insight about the contexts where discrimination is occurring, specifically within our community of London and Middlesex. Overall, results showed that the most common contexts under which individuals in these three groups reported that they had experienced discrimination included: while attending school or classes; at the workplace from supervisors, co-workers or clients; when applying for a job or promotion; while using public transit such as buses, trains or taxis; while using public areas such as parks and sidewalks; and while visiting businesses such as banks, stores or restaurants.

What does this mean? Well, these results show that simply put, discrimination is happening "everywhere". These results show that discrimination is not restricted to a handful of contexts, infrequent in nature. It is happening in the spaces individuals visit on a regular basis in order to go about their daily lives.

Recent media coverage has shown us that these statistics and findings are supported by real-life incidents. They are representative of what we see happening in our community. Just this week a man was charged with assault after an Islamophobic attack in the parking lot of the South London Costco. Also this month, charges were laid against a City of London staff member who set the site for an Indigenous-led shelter on fire. An Anishinaabe two-spirit woman has also filed a human rights complaint against the London Health Sciences Centre alleging discrimination during a recent hospital stay. All of these incidents brought to the attention of the public within a few days of each other. These are only three of examples of many reported, and likely many more that go unreported.

This new research offers the first data of its kind that allows us to comprehend the scope of these issues beyond the incidents that make the news. This information, coupled with media reporting, demonstrates that issues of discrimination in the region cannot be denied.

Sharing this information is just the start. Knowing where discrimination is happening and the contexts under which it occurs allows for meaningful opportunity to form action items and next steps to address and ultimately improve these harsh realities. We all play a part in this. Be aware of what is happening around you. Practice effective bystander intervention. Help contribute to making our community safer for all.

[Read the full report for more information on experiences of discrimination for Immigrants, Visible Minorities and Indigenous Peoples in London and Middlesex].