Essential but Disposable: The Rise of Anti-South Asian Racism in Canada

Hate crimes targeting South Asian communities in Canada rose by 227 per cent between 2019 and 2023, according to data from Statistics Canada and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. This surge in hostility coincides with an increased reliance on South Asian labour across the gig economy, health care, and logistics sectors, creating a systemic tension between economic dependence and social dehumanization.

Why is anti-South Asian sentiment rising in Canada?

The increase in anti-South Asian rhetoric is driven by a combination of online disinformation and economic anxiety. According to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, there was a 1,350-per-cent increase in anti-South Asian slurs on the social media platform X between 2023 and 2024. Observers note that this hostility often manifests as dehumanizing tropes, such as the viral social media criticism of Tim Hortons staff earlier this year, which critics characterize as a “dog whistle” for broader xenophobic fears regarding immigration. Ali Bhagat, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University, argues that these online narratives cast South Asian individuals as “incompatible” with Western values, effectively scapegoating them for systemic economic pressures like housing and wage stagnation.

How does labour exploitation fuel systemic racism?

Canada’s economic model relies heavily on South Asian workers, yet this relationship is characterized by a “contradictory” dependence, according to research from Simon Fraser University. While sectors such as agriculture, transport, and health care rely on these groups, the threat of deportation and precarious status often leaves these workers vulnerable to exploitation. Professor Ali Bhagat notes that when workers are portrayed as “outsiders,” it becomes easier to underpay them and deflect public frustration away from policymakers and corporations. This mechanism ensures that the economic benefits of low-cost labour are extracted while the workers themselves remain targets for public blame during economic downturns.

What are the future trends for social cohesion?

The future of social cohesion in Canada may depend on whether public discourse shifts from blaming individual workers to scrutinizing systemic policy. Current trends suggest that as long as economic anxieties—such as housing and employment crises—remain unaddressed, vulnerable populations will continue to face increased hostility. While influences from U.S. political rhetoric, including the far-right ideologies amplified by influencers, have played a role, domestic policy decisions remain the primary driver of the current labour landscape. Experts emphasize that the “disposable” nature of essential labour is a recurring theme in Canadian history, citing the early 20th-century exclusionary laws like those surrounding the Komagata Maru incident as a precedent for modern exclusionary attitudes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary driver of the recent increase in hate crimes against South Asians?

According to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, the surge is linked to a combination of rising online hate speech—specifically on platforms like X—and the scapegoating of South Asian workers for broader economic and service-related issues.

How does the gig economy impact racial discrimination?

The gig economy often utilizes precarious labour, where workers have less job security. Researchers suggest that framing these workers as “outsiders” allows for easier exploitation and redirects public anger away from the platforms and companies that manage these systems.

Is the rise in anti-South Asian sentiment a strictly Canadian issue?

While domestic policy and local economic conditions are central, experts acknowledge the influence of international far-right political rhetoric, particularly from the United States, which has been amplified by online influencers and podcasters.

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