The Ontario Human Rights Commission has confirmed that attacks on Asian Canadian fishermen are racially motivated, but has stopped short of declaring the acts hate crimes.
“Racism played a role in the harassment and assault of Asian Canadian anglers,” chief commissioner Barbara Hall told a news conference yesterday.
“This report also reaffirmed racial profiling exists and that successful communities acknowledge that and take steps to combat it.”
Fishing Without Fear laid out more than 50 “commitments” made by various governmental and community groups across the province to “make their communities more welcoming.”
The report is the result of a six-month inquiry into physical and verbal assaults against Asian Canadian fisherman.
The attacks, known as “nippertipping” among some locals, came to light after an altercation near Sutton, Ont., led to a car chase. One man was seriously injured as a result, and two charged with assault.
