I understand where you are coming from but unfortunately my view of Canada has been forever tainted by my experience in Vancouver in 1990s. That was the most harrowing experience I have ever had. I have good white friends here but they are all either francophones or people from Britain. .....
You are mixing two separate issues here: that of your upbringing in HK under British rule and that of your experience in Vancouver.
The HK under British rule dated back to 1842. There were a lot of discriminations and racial prejudice. Until late 60's for example, The HongHong & Shanghai bank would not allow anybody of Chinese origin to dine in their executive dining room. So a British secretary could but a Chinese manager could not. In some parks: "華人與狗不能进内" sign was posted (pre WWII). I hated history textbooks which sidestepped events such as Opium War and stopped at 1939. I hated the up turning noses of those Brits who treated Chinese with disdain. Those and others made me not to go back to HK and work during those days. I did not want to live as a second class citizen.
Your experience in Vancouver is a phenomenon as a result of massive immigration from HK as the uncertainty of the future of HK drew near. It was not a gradual change but a step increase of HK Chinese population who brought their own culture and habits alien to the locals. That created a tremendous pressure for the local governments and people to adapt.
It is almost natural to expect resentment. People who do not speak their language (Many do, but their parents don't. The kids mostly don't). They do not know how and may not want to socialize with their neighbours. They drove the price of real estate sky high, out of reach for some locals. How do you feel if you were one of the locals?
I am only explaining the why. Now I do not condone racism, but that was the recipe for racial conflict.
Your experience borne out of that resentment was expected. I know that too since my brother immigrated about that time too to Vancouver. I tried to encourage him and his family to come to Ottawa instead, but it was too cold and too far from HK as my brother had business there.
To sum it up, I can understand your experience in Vancouver but you need to look beyond. Yes, anti-Chinese sentiment is more acute in Western Canada but honestly it is not too bad. I am well traveled. I know. But to think it is better in Europe, you are just kidding yourself. UK is no better. The rest of Europe was not subjected to massive Chinese immigration but you just have to look at the Turks in Germany and the Morrocans in France.
Maybe your feeling of being prejudiced cannot be cured. In that case you may be better off going back to HK. But if you are continuing to stay here, you need to find peace within yourself. For every racial remark directed to you, there are at least twice more number of people who are friendly and generous. Ignorant people are everywhere, in Canada, China and other places. Learn to shrug it off.
I don't harbour any hatred towards the British anymore, nor do I towards the Japanese. I do not forget. History teaches us valuable lessons.
