Issues Faced By The Hindu Diaspora

Over the last few years, the high cost of living has impacted our community in many ways. The high cost of housing coupled with roller coaster ride of interest hikes plus exorbitant deficits run by various governments continue to worry us.

The rising costs of essentials like fuel, food, and housing are exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. This impact is particularly pronounced among the most financially vulnerable, including women, the young, lone parents, Indigenous people, and recent immigrants.

Canadians are also worried about rising home and rental prices due to the escalating cost of housing. Approximately 30% express concern about their ability to afford housing or rent.

Addressing these local challenges requires concerted efforts from both government and community, stakeholders. By understanding the specific needs of vulnerable populations, we can work towards more equitable solutions.

A recent study by Statistics Canada highlights the impact of rising inflation on the lowest-income Canadians: In April 2022, 63% of Canadians in the lowest household income quintile expressed very high concern about meeting everyday expenses.

About 19% of individuals in the bottom income quintile reported frequently borrowing money from friends or relatives or taking on additional debt to cover day-to-day expenses. Families in the bottom income quintile often rely on government transfers (62%) as their major source of income.

Their median after-tax income in 2019 was $21,000, much lower than the overall median for all Canadians ($62,900).

High Crime Rate

The increasing trend of crimes in the country has manifested in many forms namely – house break ins, extortion, homicides and random attacks. These crimes continue to have a long term impact community mentally, emotionally and financially.

Canada’s homicide rate is at the highest level in 30 years. For more information read

Canada’s homicide rate is at the highest level in 30 years

Car Thefts

Auto theft is a crisis that’s affecting Canadians across the country, and is being felt most acutely in Ontario. In 2022, more than 105,000 vehicles were stolen across Canada. That’s one vehicle stolen every five minutes. Without a whole-of-society response, the crisis is expected to get even worse. For more information see the link below.

https://www.ibc.ca/stay-protected/theft-prevention/end-auto-theft

A car was stolen every 40 minutes in Toronto last year, police chief says

For more information read

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/car-thefts-2023-toronto-figures-1.7147387

Infringement of Parental Rights

Family is the main focus in the Hindu cosmology. Hinduism is the oldest civilization in the world and its ingrained with a lot of core values. We as a community strongly condemn the attempts to indoctrinate children based on what’s loosely labeled as “Woke ideology”. We are disappointed at the declining standard of education in schools and their seems to be more focus on promoting ideology than STEM technology and more. Parents should have a say in all issues pertaining to children until they turn into adults.

Economy

Canada is probably already in recession, says David Rosenberg

https://financialpost.com/news/economy/canada-in-recession-david-rosenberg

Canadian economy is ‘flat on its back’: Rosenberg

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/canadian-economy-is-flat-on-its-back-rosenberg-1.2068226

Foreign Credentials

A lot of our community members come with foreign credentials and are not able to get relevant jobs. Sometimes it feels that the process of getting credentials recognized is more complicated and time consuming than getting the degree itself.

Attack on our Temples