Coolhand

I haven't heard about the hair product controversy so can't comment. but as a visible minority person who grew up in Toronto and moved here a few years ago, let me assure you that xenophobia (probably more precise than "racism") is certainly more pronounced here. I have walked out of stores I was ready to spend lots of money in because I got no service (sales people served "whites" first - even tho they came in much later). Took me 2 years to get used to being stared at on the street - some guy in a pickup truck driving by slowed down and leaned out just to have a good stare at me... I mean I'm ugly but not that ugly... ;)

This doesn't mean other cultures aren't xenophobic. Plenty of xenophobes in Toronto of all cultural backgrounds too - its just that the level is not nearly as high as in Hfx and here they're mostly white (simply due to demographics I presume).