A Burnaby MLA is sending a message of support to local store staff who were told “speak English in Canada” by a customer.
A video surfaced of a disturbing encounter between a woman and staff at a Shoppers Drug Mart located at Kingsway and McMurray in Burnaby. Posted by Allen Tseng on Facebook on Oct. 28, the video begins with a woman yelling at staff who are behind the counter, and there is a school-aged child by her side throughout the encounter. (The NOW is not including the video because there is a child in view.)
At the beginning of the footage, the woman demands that the staff speak English to her. She then tells them to shut up, that they are rude, and adds that they should, “Speak English in Canada.”
During the encounter the woman also leans onto the counter and aggressively points and gestures toward the staff.
“You want a manager to talk to me, you bring your manager here,” she yells. “If you wanna talk to me you bring your manager here, you idiot.”
“What the hell is going on? Do you start fights with all your [expletive] people… Shut up and get out of here, you idiots.”
Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA Anne Kang has issued a statement condemning the incident.
“Burnaby is my home, and I’m filled with sadness that someone chose to treat a person simply trying to do their job with such hostility and disrespect,” Kang said in the statement. “The racist, hate-filled language directed at the employees working at the store was truly shocking and disturbing. My heart goes out to the people who were working at this store. Please know that your community, and your government, stand beside you.
“As a society, we are at a critical moment. Too many people are facing racism and discrimination, and it’s time for all of us as British Columbians to say, ‘enough.’ In my new role as Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, I think every day about how I can use my position to help bring about change. I believe that one of our most powerful weapons in fighting against hatred is building connections with each other as people. I’m optimistic that we can create a better future, and a world where people treat each other with dignity and kindness.”
- with files from Elana Shepert, Vancouver is Awesome
