Montreal’s Chinatown Residents Dislike Racism, Lack of Community Safety, Support – Montreal | The Canadian News

When Chinese immigrants came to Montreal in the late 19th century and carved out the section now known as Chinatown for themselves, it was to build mutual support against poverty and discrimination.

But people in the community point out that racism is an obstacle even now.

According to City of Montreal Researchas racism diminished, some residents and new immigrants from China felt comfortable settling elsewhere.

This is a reality reflected in the number of Chinese restaurants across the city.

“Everywhere in Montreal you’re going to find a Chinese restaurant,” laughed Jason Lee, author of a Montreal food blog at Shut up and Eat. “Moreso maybe in the city center, where a lot of the international students (who go to school) live in the apartments in that area.”

Proponents, however, argue that since the construction of the Guy Favreau complex, Palais de Congres and the Ville Marie tunnel in the 70s and 80s, when several businesses and two churches were demolished and the relocation of many residents to other parts of the island , Chinatown was in decline. This is, they claim, the result of neglect by the city administration.

“I would say there is also some systemic racism within the city of Montreal,” said Winston Chan of the group Inclusive Revitalization: Present and Future of Chinatown, which advocates the area.

Others also point out that the COVID pandemic is contributing to the misery.

“When news came of a mysterious flu from China,” said Karen Cho of the Chinatown Working Group, which also insists on plans to rebuild, “people stigmatized this neighborhood and did not want to go to the businesses and grocery stores. “

“There was a lot of vandalism and a lot of burglaries in Chinatown stores,” Chan said.

Some businesses have closed.

But even though it has cast a shadow over the neighborhood, there are hopeful efforts underway to repair and rebuild bridges.

2:09A look at the future of Montreal’s Chinatown, which begins with a look back in time

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