Equity & Inclusion Dialogue: Anti-Asian Racism and the Implications for Humber College
Anti-Asian Racism has always existed in Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic both exposes and exacerbates certain aspect of this particular form of racism. Starting with a discussion about the historical root of Anti-Asian racism, this workshop will help participants understand how Anti-Asian racism continues to affect Asian Canadians in the present-day context, and the implications for Humber College as an employer, as a higher learning institution, and as part of the broader Canadian society.
Workshop Objectives:
- Provide the historical context of Anti-Asian racism in Canada
- Highlight the current day manifestation of Anti-Asian racism
- Discuss the implications of this form of racism for Humber College and the role that it could take to address Anti-Asian racism
Facilitator: Avvy Yao-Yao Go, LL.B., LL.M., Barrister & Solicitor, Clinic Director, Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
Avvy Go is the Clinic Director of the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (formerly known as the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic.) She received her B.A. in economics and management studies from the University of Waterloo, LL.B. from the University of Toronto, and LL.M. from Osgoode Hall Law School. Since her call to the Bar in 1991, she has worked exclusively in the legal clinic system, serving the legal needs of low income individuals and families, the majority of whom are non-English speaking immigrants and refugees. Immigration, human rights, and employment law are some of the main areas of law that she practices in.
In April, 2019, Avvy was appointed as the first Independent Complaints Review Officer for the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.
Between 2001 and 2019, Avvy served for about 14 years as a bencher of the Law Society of Ontario. She also served on the LSO’s Access to Justice Committee, the Equity and Aboriginal Issues Committee and the Human Rights Monitoring Group.
In March, 2016, Avvy was appointed to the Licence Appeal Tribunal as a part time adjudicator. Avvy was a part time adjudicator of the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (from 2006 to 2016), and a member of the Health Services Appeal and Review Board (from 2011 to 2016).
Between 2009 and 2011, Avvy served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Justice Education Network. Avvy served on the Advisory Council of the Canadian Human Rights Museum between 2011 and 2013. Since 2011, she has been serving as a member of the Community Council of the Law Commission of Ontario.
Avvy has given numerous lectures and educational seminars in various areas of law. She has also published articles in various publications including law journals, law books, community as well as mainstream newspapers dealing with a variety of subject matters, most notably legal and policy issues affecting immigrants and racialized communities.
Apart from her legal practice, Avvy spends much time doing community organizing and advocacy work. She had been involved in a number of community organizations such as serving as the Vice-Chair of the Court Challenges Program of Canada (1994-1997), President of the Chinese Canadian National Council (Toronto Chapter) (1989-1995) and board member of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (1991-1994). In 2007, she co-founded the Colour of Poverty Campaign, a campaign to address the increasing racialization of poverty in Ontario. She continues to serve as a steering committee member of Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change.
Avvy has received the following awards: OCASI Life Time Achievement Award (2018), Senate of Canada 150 medal (2017), SOAR Medal (2017), Order of Ontario (2014), the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers’ Lawyer of Distinction Award (2012), City of Toronto’s William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations (2008) and President's Award of the Women's Law Association of Ontario (2002).
