Addressing Anti-Asian Racism in Limestone

Limestone Learning Foundation
Addressing Anti-Asian Racism in Limestone
Posted on 03/24/2021
Image of a multi-coloured maple leaf.

The Limestone District School Board is working with staff and students to provide resources and other supports to confront anti-Asian racism as part of its ongoing efforts to create safe, welcoming and identity-affirming spaces for everyone.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in racist attitudes and behaviours toward Asians and people of Asian descentAsian communities in Canada have experienced a spike in hate crimes and racist incidents during the pandemic, with more than 800 incidents recorded by Fight COVID Racism, a Canadian COVID-19 racism incident reporting website. Anti-Asian hate crimes have spiked in Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal with many related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Limestone unequivocally condemns any anti-Asian racism and remains committed to ensuring an equitable and inclusive school environment for all students and staff. We must confront anti-Asian racism in all formats. School and board staff have been provided with various resources, including Addressing Anti-Asian Racism: A Resource for Educators created by the Toronto District School Board and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and an additional Addressing Anti-Asian Racism resource, curated by the Limestone Equity Team to help them understand how best to name and address anti-Asian racism in partnership with families and communities.

Anti-Asian racism is both hurtful and harmful at a global and individual level. The impact on the mental health, well-being and safety of students, educators, families and communities cannot be overstated. Overt forms of discrimination that continue to impact racialized and marginalized communities is unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in Limestone. We will continue to work together to build increasing capacity to identify and address anti-Asian racism.

Limestone’s Equity Team continues to provide ongoing resources to build capacity in helping others understand, respond, intervene and act when issues of injustice, human rights, equity and oppression arise against any group. We know there is much work to do. We have begun this work, some of which is outlined in the Limestone District School Board Equity Action Plan. The three-year plan identifies specific areas of focus and actions to create schools and classrooms where students’ lived experiences are valued and celebrated, and our environments reflect the diversity of everyone.

The Limestone District School Board is committed to an equitable and inclusive school climate that ensures all students, staff and members of the broader school community feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. We want everyone who learns, works or volunteers in Limestone to value diversity, demonstrate respect for others, and commit to establishing a just and caring society.



For more information, please contact:
Karen Smith, Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 314 | 613-328-0947 mobile

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.