Historic Study Highlights Anti-Asian Discrimination Faced by Chinese Canadians During COVID-19

A groundbreaking new study led by the Centre for New Immigrant Well-Being (CNIW) and university scholars has shed light on the widespread discrimination experienced by Chinese Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, this research not only documents the challenges faced by the community but also makes an important contribution to the broader understanding of racism in Canada.

Original paper link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40615-025-02537-z

The study was led by Dr. Peizhong Peter Wang, President of CNIW and professor of epidemiology at Memorial University and the University of Toronto, and forms the foundation of Ms. Nan Lei’s MSc thesis. It was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and carried out with close collaboration from Chinese community organizations.

Rising Discrimination Amid a Global Crisis

While discrimination against Chinese immigrants has deep historical roots in Canada—from the days of the “yellow peril” stereotype to the burdens of the “model minority” myth—the COVID-19 pandemic brought a new wave of anti-Asian hostility. Despite the World Health Organization’s warnings not to link the virus to any one country or ethnicity, political rhetoric and misinformation spread rapidly, fueling prejudice.

This study confirms what many in the community already felt: discrimination spiked during the pandemic. More than half (53.6%) of respondents reported personal experiences of discrimination, ranging from verbal harassment to workplace exclusion. Equally troubling, around 80% of participants perceived that anti-Asian discrimination had increased in both frequency and severity, with over 90% expecting the situation to continue in the near future.

From: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/asian-racism-hate-canada-pandemic-1.5959788

Individual and Group Impact

One of the study’s most significant findings is the connection between personal discrimination and perceived group discrimination. In other words, when individuals experienced racism directly, they were also more likely to believe their entire community was under attack. This vicious cycle deepened psychological distress, leading to heightened anxiety, fear, and lifestyle changes to avoid potential harm.

Interestingly, while before the pandemic factors like education level and length of residency influenced experiences of discrimination, during the pandemic the only major protective factor was English proficiency. Those who reported good English skills were significantly less likely to experience discrimination, suggesting communication barriers may amplify vulnerability.

Froe: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/vancoucer-anti-asian-hate-crimes-increase

A Historic Contribution

This is one of the largest community-based studies of its kind in Canada. With 674 Chinese Canadians surveyed in the Greater Toronto Area in April 2021, the research provides rare population-level evidence of both personal and group-level discrimination in the midst of the pandemic. By doing so, it fills an important knowledge gap in Canadian scholarship, where large-scale studies on anti-Asian racism remain limited.

Dr. Wang emphasized the historical significance of this work: “This research not only documents the struggles faced during COVID-19 but also places them within the long history of discrimination against Chinese Canadians. It is a reminder that public health crises often intensify existing prejudices, and that targeted policies and community supports are urgently needed.”

Looking Ahead

The findings underscore the need for culturally informed support systems that address both personal and collective dimensions of discrimination. For policymakers, health professionals, and community leaders, this study is a call to action: to combat racism not just through individual interventions but also through systemic changes that recognize the lived experiences of immigrant communities.

The collaboration between CNIW, university scholars, and community organizations also demonstrates the power of community-driven research. For Ms. Nan Lei, completing her MSc thesis on such a pressing social issue is both a scholarly and personal achievement, marking an important milestone in immigrant health research in Canada.