Combatting hate
The dire need to address prejudice
Inequality has profound and complex impacts on communities. London and Middlesex have experienced firsthand the tragic consequences of hatred and fear of difference. We must work together to ensure that our region is home to equitable communities where everyone can thrive.
Inequality manifests itself in a multitude of ways, which plays out in our communities daily: from people being victims of hate crimes, to racialized groups being significantly less likely to have a family doctor, to paratransit remaining persistently difficult to access. Reports of racism are on the rise. Overall, too many of our racialized neighbours struggle to access the basic foundations that many of us take for granted.
On this page:
1 in 5 visible minority people in London-Middlesex do not have a regular healthcare provider
Visible minority people report feeling less like part of the local community
Londoners feel Paratransit is effective, but difficult to access
Visible minorities have lower salaries when compared to other groups
By the Numbers
1 in 5 visible minority people in London-Middlesex do not have a regular healthcare provider
Compared with 1 in 14 people not of a visible minority.
London has a shortage of family doctors, so access is already difficult. This issue can be exacerbated by factors like language barriers. The Middlesex London Ontario Health Team estimates there are 65,000 unattached patients in London and Middlesex, and 70 physicians are needed to close that gap.
Source: Statistics Canada, Custom Order
Visible minority people report feeling less like part of the local community
People who have a very strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging to local community:
Visible minority people: 64.7%,
Non-visible minority people: 68.1%
Research shows a high correlation of sense of community-belonging with physical and mental health. While there is a small gap in the reported sense of belonging between visible minority people and non-visible minority people, it demonstrates that there is more work to be done in London and Middlesex to ensure everyone feels that they are welcome.
Source: Statistics Canada, Custom Order
Building Affirming Spaces: How the MAGICAL Project Empowers Racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
When you are a 2SLGBTQIA+ person, when you are a racialized person, you already tend to feel alone. When you then enter a space that is not specifically crafted for you, or for the community that you are a part of, it can really amplify these feelings.
Hate crime charges in London triple since 2019
London is facing a worrying increase in the number of hate crime charges laid, tripling since 2019. While recorded incidents increased by 270% over the same time period, this may not capture the true increase as many acts of hate go unreported.
Source: London Police, reported in the London Free Press
Londoners feel Paratransit is effective, but difficult to access
A strong specialized transit service is vital to ensure that all members of the community have access to reliable and safe transportation. While people feel that the London Transit Commission has improved the quality of some aspects of Paratransit since 2018, more work is needed to ensure it is accessible and available when people need it.
Source: London Transit Commission Voice of the Consumer Statement
More Indigenous youth are finishing high school
Between 2011 and 2021, the percentage of Indigenous people living in London and Middlesex with a high school diploma increased by 8%. As our educational system makes improvements to ensure it is more accessible to Indigenous young people, the education gap is beginning to close.
Sources: Vital Signs: What London Can Be, Statistics Canada Table 98-10-0291-01 and Table 98-10-0385-01
Visible minorities have lower salaries when compared to other groups
There is a gap between the earnings of people classified as visible minorities by Statistics Canada and non-visible minority people. The fact that immigrants, as a whole, earn more than visible minorities suggests the gap isn’t related only to challenges such as language barriers or qualifications being transferrable but could point to systemic race bias.
Source: Statistics Canada, custom order
Want to dive deeper into the issue of Reduced Inequalities in London and Middlesex County?
Check out our London Vital Signs Data Hub for more data.
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