COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Background 

• The Vietnamese population in Canada is approximately 240,000 (2016 Census). Ontario is home to an estimated 108,000 Vietnamese Canadians with 74,000 in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Reasons for Vietnamese migration to Canada after 1978 have evolved over time, from a humanitarian crisis to economic development. Between 1979 and 1997, Canada received approximately 163,000 refugees from Vietnam. In addition to economic immigrants, there are many recent skilled workers and business immigrants from Vietnam, and over 20,000 international students.
• An estimated 5,000 migrants who fled after the Fall of Saigon in 1975 established cultural organizations that receive public funding as many refugees started to arrive in 1979, and imposed their ideology on the entire Vietnamese Canadian community. 
• The 5,000 migrants use the flag of the non-existent Republic of Vietnam (yellow flag with the 3 red stripes) as a political symbol at Vietnamese Canadian cultural events and actively discourage relationships with the Government of Vietnam. 

Issue 

• The Vietnamese Canadian community has been subjected to harassment and intimidation over the last 46 years because the 5,000 migrants have used their disproportionate political clout to silence dissent in the community and coerce the recent migrants. The recent migrants have actively established business, cultural and educational networks with the Government of Vietnam, a priority trading country for Canada. 
• Canadian political leaders unknowingly wear the controversial yellow scarf, which resembles the flag of the non-existent Republic of Vietnam (yellow flag with the 3 red stripes). Wearing the yellow scarf sends a hate message to a majority of Vietnamese Canadians and further divides the Vietnamese Canadian community.

Recommendation 

• Canadian political leaders should not wear the controversial yellow scarf or use the flag of the non-existent Republic of Vietnam (yellow flag with the 3 red stripes) at public events. 
• Canadian governments at all levels should observe the international protocols and policies of Global Affairs Canada with respect to the Government of Vietnam.