Beyond Multiculturalism: Identity and Discrimination Challenges of Chinese Canadian Communities

Amidst the shifting tides of globalization and Canada’s celebrated commitment to multiculturalism, the Chinese Canadian community encounters the persistent and intertwined challenges of cultural identity formation and systemic racial discrimination. The surge in anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic has not only intensified these challenges but has also exposed the inadequacies of Canadian multicultural policy in confronting deeply rooted structural inequalities. This study employs Critical Race Theory (CRT) to provide a rigorous and nuanced analysis of how cultural identity and discrimination intersect in the lived experiences of Chinese Canadians. Through an innovative mixed-methods approach that combines in-depth qualitative interviews and robust quantitative survey data, the research reveals the paradoxes and tensions inherent in multiculturalism: while fostering a sense of belonging and recognition, it too often fails to dismantle the institutional barriers faced by racialized minorities. The paper further examines the “Stop Asian Hate†movement as both a grassroots response and a catalyst for reimagining anti-racism strategies in Canada. Ultimately, the study advances the Sun Model of Anti-Racism and Multiculturalism (SMAM)—a novel, integrated framework that underscores the critical importance of policy reform, transformative education, and community empowerment in achieving genuine racial equity and social justice in an increasingly diverse Canadian society.