'Quite alarming': Study reveals hostility toward immigrants in London, Middlesex

Andrew

Aug 2

Not sure how significant the study is given the small numbers. And no evidence cited to justify or quantify the statement that some may leave:

A new study shows immigrants in London and Middlesex County regularly face discrimination with a majority of people surveyed reporting some form of harassment or discrimination.

The study, funded by the London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership, examined the experiences of 30 London and Middlesex County immigrant and racialized people.

It's a followup to a survey conducted by the same team that found about 60 per cent of those who identified as immigrants in Southwestern Ontario said they experienced some level of discrimination or racism in the last three years."The stories we heard were quite alarming in terms of the types of experiences people are having in our community and how it made them feel and how it may be influencing their lives," Victoria Esses, director of the Centre for Research on Migration and Ethnic Relations at Western University, said. "It's important to know if we don't treat people well they are not going to stay here."

A group of Western University researchers led by Esses heard newcomers say they were overlooked for promotion and their work was underappreciated. Those surveyed also described being called names or being yelled at in public, researchers said.

"The reaction . . . is to be depressed, upset and crying because of these attacks," Esses said. "(They were) feeling that their health and careers were being impacted . . . not feeling that they belong in the community and not willing to stay here."

"You can have all the plans you want (to welcome immigrants to London and Middlesex County), but if people are not being treated properly in the community, they're going to leave," Esses said.

Jonathan Juha, communications officer for the London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership, said attracting immigrants is only half of the equation.

"Retaining that talent and getting people to stay here is critical, but the chances of someone choosing London as the place where they put down roots go down if they don't feel welcome in the community," he said.

People often are afraid to report discrimination or they don't know where to report it, Esses said.

"(We need to be ) much more explicit in the workplace about what constitutes discrimination and that there is zero tolerance for it and what people should do when they experience it," Esses said.

"Our suggestions include having a much more transparent process for reporting discrimination and making it safe for people to do that."

Source: 'Quite alarming': Study reveals hostility toward immigrants in London, Middlesex

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