Author: Stephanie Gomez

Asian Heritage Month is an important occasion for all Canadians to come together to celebrate and recognize the diverse cultural contributions of Asian communities in our country. This month-long celebration has been a cherished tradition in Canada since the 1990s and was officially recognized by the federal government in May 2002.

ATU Local 113 expresses our appreciation for the invaluable contributions that our own members of Asian communities have made to our city and to Canada’s rich cultural heritage.

Stats:

Canada’s multicultural society has greatly benefited from the contributions of Asian populations, who make up nearly 22% of the country’s population. The distinct cultural heritage, history, and customs that members of Asian communities have brought to Canada have added to the vibrant tapestry of our nation. Asian Canadian cultures in Canada include, but are not limited to:

• East Asia: China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan
• Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Vietnam
• South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
• Western Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, State of Palestine, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
• Central Asia: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan

Human Rights Activism and Anti-Asian Racism in Canada

The selfless activism of people of Asian heritage for social justice and human rights in Canada and their fight against oppression has contributed significantly to the growth of our labour movement and communities. The Asian community in Canada has endured discrimination and injustice, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Head Tax, the exploitation of Chinese railway workers, the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II, and the Komagata Maru incident. These struggles have left their stamp on Canadian history, and their influence is still felt today.

Sadly, racism towards Asians is still present in Canada today. Anti-Asian hate has alarmingly increased since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, with women disproportionately affected by the rise in anti-Asian racism. It is essential to collaborate as a society to combat structural racism and advance social justice and equality for all.

Resources:

http://www.mhso.ca/tiesthatbind/LearningResources.php

https://sacda.ca/Detail/objects/2751

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U2ki5j-h9y229pAwx-KkqjK0HmAIo9h9/view

https://www.project1907.org/

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/asia-canada

https://explorasian.org/exploring-asian-heritage-in-vancouver/

https://solidarities.huafoundation.org/unpackingmyth/

http://www.vmacch.ca/beta/index.html

On March 25, a 16 year old was killed after a stabbing at Keele Station. It was an unprovoked, random attack against an innocent passenger.

This ongoing violence needs to stop.

Less than 48 hours later there was another stabbing on a TTC bus near Keele Station.

ATU Local 113 President, Marvin Alfred, spoke to media about the ongoing violence on public transit and the lasting impact it has on transit workers and riders.

News Coverage

Online/Print

Toronto Star: No fast or easy answers to make the TTC safe, say city officials | The Star

CTV Toronto: TTC teen stabbing victim remembered as good friend | CTV News

CityNews: Teen killed in Toronto subway station stabbing remembered as kind, good friend | CityNews Toronto

Broadcast/Radio

CP24: ATU Local 113 President comments on the TTC incident 

CTV Toronto: Teen was sitting on bench when fatally stabbed | CTV News

City News 680: Teen killed in Toronto subway station stabbing remembered as kind, good friend | CityNews Toronto

We are dismayed at the incidents of violence on the TTC this past weekend. Two incidents of violence were reported, one of which has led to the tragedy of loss of life of a young person. Any loss of life on public transit has a lasting impact on families and communities of those directly involved, as well as on transit riders and transit workers.

We at ATU Local 113 have been continuously asking the TTC, the City of Toronto and the Province to prioritize transit safety for workers and transit users. Nothing has changed yet.

We have stated before that the difficult conversations about public transit safety need to happen.

First, it can only be effective if all stakeholders are present, and with real, accurate and current data from the Toronto Police Service and the TTC. It will require leaving politics at the door. 

Second, with the upcoming election, Toronto needs a mayor who understands allocating funds to public transit is not a cost, it is an investment – an investment in transit safety, maintaining dependable service, and state of good repair.

For the long-term viability of public transit, we need to prioritize safety.

Today, we join workers and riders across North America to celebrate Transit Worker Appreciation Day. The TTC has been in the news too often lately for the wrong reasons.

Violent incidents and declining ridership are a fact of life for us. Service cuts and fare increases will make the system more crowded, less reliable, and increase conflict. We know how hard members work every day to serve the people of Toronto.

Today, we are asking everyone to take a moment to say thank you to transit workers.

Workers and passengers are in this together. We need to respect and appreciate each other to keep Toronto moving comfortably, safely, and reliably.

In solidarity,

Executive Board

ATU Local 113

On behalf of the ATU Local 113 Women’s Committee and our Executive Board, we would like to wish you all a Happy International Women’s Day!

This year’s theme is Embrace Equity. This theme acknowledges that while we are all working towards the same goal of equity, we do so from different starting points. Regardless of the differences, we should continue to help each other and women in the communities we serve.

Today, we celebrate our sisters at ATU Local 113. Thank you for all you do.

All members are encouraged to join us this Saturday, March 4 for an International Women’s Day event. The Rally begins at 11 a.m., followed by a March at 1 p.m.

We hope to see you there.

Although February is coming to an end, we must acknowledge the importance of celebrating Black history and culture throughout the year.

It is essential to recognize and honour the past and present contributions and struggles of Black individuals and communities, so we can build a better future for everyone.