Asian Fishing
May 14, 2008
THE ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HAS WRAPPED UP ITS INQUIRY INTO A DISTURBING TREND INVOLVING ASIAN ANGLERS. THE INQUIRY CONCLUDES THAT "RACIAL PROFILING" DID PLAY A ROLE IN THE HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT OF ASIAN ANGLERS ACROSS THE PROVINCE INCLUDING WESTPORT. THE INQUIRY NOTES THAT ASIAN CANADIANS WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE TARGETED OVER CONCERNS OF ILLEGAL FISHING. WHILE OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE TAKING STEPS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, COMMISSIONER BARBARA HALL SAYS WESTPORT IS NOT WILLING TO COOPERATE. BARBARA HALL "THEY DIDN'T AGREE THAT RACISM WAS BEHIND THE ATTACKS THERE. AND SO WE DISAGREE ON THAT ISSUE."
THE COMMISSION MET WITH 21 POLICE AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS -- AND HAS OBTAINED A SERIES OF COMMITMENTS TO WORK TOWARDS PREVENTING DISCRIMINATION... THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, TOLERANCE AND STEPPED UP ENFORCEMENT.
