This is a guest post on Listen Up! by James Bowler. Hugh Mackenzie is taking a break this week.
By James Bowler
In February of 2016, Gravenhurst officials and residents proudly welcomed the first of a few Syrian refugee families moving to Muskoka, the Bannas. This followed a massive crisis in 2015 when civil war broke out in the Middle East and Asian country, which led to millions fleeing the nation for a safer life.
Eight months later, the family that came to Gravenhurst with hope in their hearts and a new life to look forward to packed up and moved to Montreal. At the time it was suggested they were moving because there was a large population of Syrians living in Montreal and more opportunity for the family, and that likely was a large part of their decision to move. However, it could have also been motivated by a break-in that happened to the family months after they moved into their new home, where priceless jewelry heirlooms were stolen. Or maybe it was also the graffiti that was scrawled on a gazebo in Gull Lake Rotary Park that stated ‘Muslims Go Home!’.
The point is Muskoka has had a long-suffering issue of racism and bigotry from within the community itself. Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe a large portion of residents in Muskoka are open-minded and caring people who want to embrace diversity in the place we all call home. But that doesn’t change the fact that we still have these hate crimes happening in our own backyard.
There are many other examples to point to: Monck Public School in Bracebridge has been targeted about half a dozen times by vandals scrawling hateful homophobic vitriol across rainbow artwork painted on a shed in the school’s playground. In 2021 a Pride flag at Huntsville Public School was stolen from its pole and a video was circulated of kids burning the flag. Just down the road in Washago, a Jewish family was targeted with anti-Semitic graffiti vandalizing their home. And most recently, a South Asian family was attacked while walking in downtown Huntsville by a group of four people throwing racial slurs at them and spitting at them.
The District of Muskoka’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism or Anti-Hate (IDEA) Advisory Group released a temperature check on discrimination in Muskoka, with polling happening within the community between late 2020 and early 2021. The report, which polled full-time and seasonal residents between the ages of 15 and 84, found the majority of respondents felt discrimination was definitely a problem in the region. And at least one-third of respondents felt the district as a whole is not tolerant and accepting enough of those from varied cultural backgrounds, including those of Indigenous heritage.
So what can you do about it? Speak out when you see something that even resembles veiled racism, misogyny, or homophobia/transphobia.
It sometimes feels easier to avoid uncomfortable conversations, especially with those we hold dear to us, like family or friends, about why their words or actions are inappropriate when it comes to discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. But, having these conversations may often help avoid a bigger issue.
In order to become a more united community, we need to accept that the people living in it have different ideas, beliefs, and backgrounds, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to live here, and it definitely doesn’t make them any less human. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.

James is a local journalist who has worked in Muskoka for nearly a decade. He’s an avid advocate for diversity and inclusion and for normalizing the conversation around mental health.
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Integration is also key and giving small new groups time to find their place and fit in. And i think they do in time…most locals are kind and accepting people.
Things get more difficult whn there becomes a large wave of new faces and I fear things will get worse with the influx of foreign workers to the area.
Resentment may creep in whn we already hav a struggling local population who cant find housing or jobs tht pay a living wage and I kno som see migrant workers arriving and somehow finding housing or jobs whn the locals are hitting walls.
Corporations are taking advantage of thes new wrkers, often paying thm less or havng housing arrangmnts with thm wher most of their pay goes straight bck to the company to pay for their housing (i ran into a young man from India who was very upset tht his employer was taking all his $ to put him up in the new hotel near Wendys, they left him with nothng).
Noone should ever be cruel or hateful towards anyone but we must acknowledge that peopl are somtimes upset and its not becaus theyr racist but becaus they see new labour driving wages down, locals being let go for new employees who they can take advantage of and companies can simply tell the govt “noone wants to wrk so I need foreign workers” whn whts actually happening is locals literally cant afford to wrk for the wages being offered and companies want to make more profit so will get rid of workers who require higher (fair) pay.
And yes, ther are a few who actually are racist or homophobic unfortunatly and tht behaviour is NOT ok!
There are actual lessons for this town in some cases tho and i dont want the legitimate concerns overshadowed by the “theyr just racist” narrative…there are things going on here that need to be addressed so that locals feel secure and foriegn workers are treated fairly and dont drive dwn wages.
Some housing thats actually affordable (as in rent geared to income) wld really help ease the tension too.
People get scared whn they dont hav enough and evn tho we’r in a frst world country we hav a LOT of peopl who are really struggling to keep a roof over their head and food on the table etc and whn people are scared and stressed they often target thos who they see as part of the problm….the town shld be trying to ease things for our citizens…people who feel secure are much more likely to share.
And of course education is always a good thing, starting young.
Diversity is great, most of us hav ancestors who came here, wrked hard and built thes communities…new faces are welcome and they offer a lot 🙂 lets do our best to take care of everyone and promote love and kindness
Yes, I agree; “everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.” Everyone.
I recall His Highness, The Dalai Lama saying something like this: Do you want to be right or do you want to be kind? We always have a choice. Choose kindness – you will always be right.
Viva la difference! Wouldn’t it be a boring world if we were all the same
Thank you James for this article. It has opened my eyes to the hate in my wonderful home town. It is just hard to believe people can be so mean. We have so much here and are afraid to share with folks who have less or are a little different. How low is your self esteem that you feel you have to belittle others??
Thanks Mr Bowler for speaking up and reminding us that we can reach out to others with kindness at any time. Being bullied or learning to tolerate micro aggressions about your differences is unfortunately part of growing up. Some grown ups continue to enjoy their nasty behaviours and teach their attitudes to their youngsters. Is it meanness inherent in humans or lack of insight into one’s own insecurities and lack of knowledge that creates these barriers of hatred? We need to open our minds to be brave. As a community we can miss out on a lot of opportunities to experience the beauty and fun of sharing.
Is it just me or was something very akin to this poste here on Doppler a while ago? I say that because I meant to comment, but it just slipped by. It may be a variation on a theme. Not much sense in telling someone who grew up here that this was a ”white-bread’ community. Some indigenous, some Italian. and a few of some others.
But there were always those who could find a reason to bully others. No reason to point out they were Syrian or Jewish or colored or gay or otherwise. Those were not upfront parts of the town’s make up back then. But some could find they were bullied because they were plump or not athletic or read books or refused a beer when offered.
People bully other people. Always have and always will. I don’t think that our community has any more bullies per capita than others. You can use the word diversity if you will but there are those who simply reject the concept. They don’t have to be uneducated or poor or wealthy or Jewish or Muslim or whatever. They will just bully others because it’s in them to do so.
Maybe it’s in us all, but it’s our fight to control the beast that makes us civilized.
Some people can’t bother to fight.