National action plan on anti‑South Asian hate

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to recognize rising anti‑South Asian hate and implement a coordinated national action plan including investigation and reporting, proportionate anti‑hate programs, and public messaging distinguishing policy debate from racialized blame.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada Anti-South Asian hatred in Canada has escalated at an alarming rate; Research presented by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in April 2026 reported that anti-South Asian hate online increased by 1,350% between 2023 and 2024; Statistics Canada reported that police-reported hate crimes targeting South Asians increased from 324 in 2024 to 483 in 2025, a 49% increase in one year and a 189% increase since 2021; South Asian Canadians are entitled to equal concern and protection against hatred and racial discrimination; and Legitimate debate concerning immigration policy, housing, employment and public services should remain clearly distinguished from racial or collective blame directed toward South Asian Canadians. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Publicly recognize the documented escalation of anti-South Asian hatred and establish a coordinated national action plan to address it; 2. Examine and publicly report on the causes, sources and online propagation of anti-South Asian hatred in Canada; 3. Ensure that federal anti-racism, hate-prevention, community-security and public-awareness programs respond proportionately to the documented escalation of hatred targeting South Asians; and 4. Clearly distinguish, in federal public communications, legitimate debate and criticism concerning immigration policy from racial or collective blame directed toward South Asian Canadians.

Government response

No government response is available yet.