In Canadian higher education, the number of international students from East, Southeast, and South Asia increased nearly four-fold between 2010 to 2019. Chinese international students now comprise more than two-thirds of University of Toronto international students. Research shows that, given the history of White supremacy and anti-Asian racism in Canada, an increase in Asian students means that experiences of racism have correspondingly increased; and how discourses of “multiculturalism” in Canadian higher education have silenced, not made more visible, students’ experiences of racism. We condemn anti-Asian racism in all its forms, and we are grateful for the work of the University of Toronto’s Anti-Asian Racism Working Group in bringing forth a set of important recommendations.
In 2023, the Final Report of the University of Toronto’s first Anti-Asian Racism Working Group was submitted to Arts & Science. The report explained how “Anti-Asian racism and hostilities have long existed, and Asian-identified people in Canada have endured historical exclusion and marginalization as a result of societal and political anti-Asian sentiment.”
The report noted that at the U of T, “Students find it difficult to identify courses related to Asia and Asian diasporas.” Among its recommendations, item 5.2 stated that U of T must “help instructors of undergraduate, graduate, and professional school courses strengthen their inclusion of content pertaining to topics related to Asia, Asian peoples and cultures, Asians in Canada, Asian diasporas, and anti-Asian racism.”
Recommendation 7.2 stated that U of T must “Provide and promote culturally appropriate and sensitive mental health and wellness services,” and recommendation 5.5 specified the need to “Enhance routine faculty training in inclusive pedagogy.”
In the report, the U of T President, Vice-President & Provost and Vice-President of People Strategy, Equity, and Culture are cited as responding that, “It is our collective responsibility to develop strategies to dismantle barriers and enhance inclusivity for Asian members of the U of T community.”
In his response to the working group’s report, Meric S. Gertler, President, Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President and Provost, and Heather Boon, Acting Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture, wrote, “we strongly support the development of course content that centres or includes representation of diverse cultures and experience.”
Dr. Boon wrote, “We will continue to support initiatives that contribute to the well-being and success of Asian faculty, librarians, students and staff.”
The Administration’s Response to the Report of the Anti-Asian Racism Working Group is dated May 29, 2023. A month later, another working group recommended closure of the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health minor. In January 2024, Arts & Science suspended enrollment into the BPMH minor.
Founded in 2006, BPMH is the only program on campus with a curriculum based in Asian cultures and histories of health and well-being. Internationally known for its leadership in contemplative science education, BPMH’s curriculum integrates research by scientists, philosophers & Buddhist Studies scholars, health practitioners, and contemplatives. BPMH is also the largest program in North America focused on the study of Buddhism, one of the world’s major religions and the primary driver of the circulation of medical ideas and practice in world history.
BPMH co-curricular programming includes research labs, active student groups, public events, online publishing, and podcasting, which together reach tens of thousands of participants yearly and which have brought international recognition to the program. The program has had close ties to Asian Buddhist communities around the world for two decades.
The BPMH program is dedicated to research and study focused on Asia, Asian peoples and cultures, Asians in Canada, Asian diasporas, and anti-Asian racism. Its curricular, co-curricular, and public programs promote research, study, and public understanding of traditional Asian and global Indigenous mental health practices. The University’s move to close this program directly undermines its commitment to support the Anti-Asian Racism Working Group’s recommendations.
Today, exactly three years after the release of the Report of the Anti-Asian Racism Working Group, we affirm its recommendations and commit to prioritizing research and teaching on Asian peoples and cultures, Asians in Canada, Asian diasporas, and anti-Asian racism.
We ask the University of Toronto Administration re-open enrollment into the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health program and work with its faculty and students on a sustainable plan to ensure that this program has a strong future.
– Frances Garrett and the BPMH Task Force