A young boy holds a sign at a 2023 rally against anti-Asian hate. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via CBC)

The emergence of COVID-19, first reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019, was quickly followed by a disturbing surge in anti-Chinese racism and Sinophobia in Canada. The situation was particularly challenging as the initial and extensive outbreak in China became a focal point, fueling misinformation and xenophobic narratives linking the virus to ethnicity. As the pandemic spread globally (WHO declared an emergency Jan 30, 2020), individuals of Chinese and East Asian descent faced increased verbal harassment, physical assaults, vandalism, and online hate. Community organizations reported thousands of anti-Asian hate incidents. This period saw significant community mobilization, with rallies and protests held in cities like Vancouver and Toronto to denounce anti-Asian violence and call for solidarity, underscoring the profound impact on safety, mental health, and belonging, and the community's resilience in fighting prejudice.