Racism In Canada Is Ever-Present, But We Have A Long History Of Denial
We read a lot about American exceptionalism. But Canadians confronted with American news, especially white Canadians like me confronted with news about racism in the U.S., are often quick to condemn our neighbour.
“Wow, that country is broken,” we’ll say when talking about the States, or “That wouldn’t happen here,” or “At least we’re not as bad as they are.”
I’ve said all those things, too. It’s comforting to feel our problems are less significant than other people’s; that in some small way, we’re superior.
On Friday, as Black Americans reeled from the injustice of George Floyd’s death, Canadians on Twitter attempted some levity by getting “Meanwhile in Canada” trending. If only racism could be contained that way, if only it simply didn’t exist here. But it’s not helpful, because it’s false.
A few days after Floyd died after being pinned down by a white officer who kneeled on his neck, a Black woman died under mysterious circumstances while the police were in her Toronto home. Regis Korchinski-Paquet’s mother said she called the police, hoping her daughter would receive help for her mental health. Instead, Regis fell to her death from the balcony of her 24th floor apartment.
Police ruled it a suicide, but the family of the the 29-year-old dispute that. They were all in the hall when she returned to her unit to use the bathroom, her family told CBC News. Several officers followed her in. A few minutes later, her mother heard her call for help. Seconds later, she was dead. Her family believe police officers pushed her off the balcony.
“How can a call for assistance turn into a loss of life?” the family’s lawyer Knia Singh said.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, which examines death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault involving police, is investigating the case.
And yet, Meanwhile in Canada ...
