By Dimitrije Martinovic
Dimitrije is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

The Regent Park neighbourhood of Toronto has long been a hub for newcomers. Since the 19th century, it has welcomed waves of immigrants from England and Europe. Today, Regent Park is one of Toronto's most ethnically diverse areas, with 28% European, 25.7% South Asian, 13.6% Black, 12.5% Chinese, and 3.7% Southeast Asian residents. The top countries of origin include Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and various African nations (Toronto Ward Museum).

Given this diversity, it was no surprise that Ontario Premier Doug Ford's recent comments blaming immigrants for a shooting at a Jewish school, despite no evidence identifying the responsible parties, sparked controversy. Ford stated, "I got an idea, before you plan on moving to Canada, don’t come to Canada if you’re going to start terrorizing neighbourhoods like this, simple as that."

Many perceived the Premier’s statement as disparaging towards immigrants, prompting varied reactions from the public and political figures.

RPTV, located in the heart of Regent Park, sought to capture local opinions on the Premier’s comments and the broader topic of immigration. Mc Zlatan, a new volunteer at Focus Media Arts Centre and a recent immigrant himself, interviewed Regent Park residents and passers-by from Brazil, India, Africa, Bulgaria, and Canada. The consensus was that the Premier’s statements were unrealistic, unfounded, and foolhardy and that a thorough investigation was needed to support or refute his claims.

Regarding whether immigration is a benefit or a burden and their experiences in Canada, opinions vary. However, most people agreed that immigrants are a vital part of Canada’s fabric and reported positive experiences living in the country.