After escaping from Uganda, Kateregga Raymond Calvin feels more settled since he first came to Canada a little over a year ago. This refugee claimant was facing harassment in his homeland and sought refuge in Canada, a country he regards as “peaceful”. He found a place to call his own in Montreal. However, this is where his problems began in his apartment complex.

In a recent interview, Calvin, aged 25, revealed, “I was subjected to bullying by my neighbors and was forced to leave my apartment.” According to Calvin, he was subjected to racial slurs due to his dark skin and accent. He was even told that he was not needed in Canada.

Recounting the insults, Calvin said, “I was labeled a refugee, an asylum seeker and was made to feel worthless in this country.” This led Calvin to feel isolated and unwelcome. The racial discrimination became so unbearable that he had to approach his landlord, who advised him to vacate the apartment.

“It’s very tough to live in a place where you’re not welcome,” Calvin expressed. With no other options, he was left homeless in January. For over a month, Calvin was without a home, spending his days in shelters and nights in the harsh winter cold.

Calvin described his dire situation, “I had nothing to eat. I could afford only one meal a day — my dinner.” After struggling for a while, the young refugee finally received prolonged help and now he has a new, secure home while he applies to universities in Montreal.

However, those who work with immigrants in Quebec are raising concerns, as they are hearing more accounts of racial discrimination. Jesse Edmond, a social worker who supports Calvin, shared that many of his other clients have experienced similar incidents since the summer. These experiences are “very challenging” for newcomers, he added, as it makes them “feel like they don’t belong here.”

Edmond said, “I try to instill hope and trust in them again. Many of them have very low self-esteem due to such experiences.” He revealed that racism often escalates beyond mere taunts. One of his clients, a refugee claimant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, had to flee Quebec City after being attacked.

Frantz André, a refugee claimant advocate, told Global News that he frequently receives calls about racism, such as immigrants being unfairly dismissed from their jobs and others facing deportation. He believes that the rising intolerance can be attributed to political leaders, who blame asylum seekers for various issues, such as the housing crisis.

André stated, “Yes, there are issues. But asylum seekers shouldn’t be blamed as the cause of all problems in Quebec.” His remarks come amidst tighter immigration controls by the Quebec government, citing limited capacity. The province recently suspended two major citizenship programs and introduced legislation to limit the number of international students.

Despite the challenges faced by asylum seekers, Calvin has no regrets about coming to Canada. He is thankful for the support he has received and is moving forward from the racial discrimination he experienced. Calvin said, “You have to live and move on with life, and just trust God to guide you.”