KITCHENER Amid growing awareness of anti-Asian racism and discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, a local Chinese-Canadian group says Asian Heritage Month is taking on new meaning this year. “It’s far more important this year to remind people in times of crisis and in this very challenging situation, it is all so important to work together,” said Gabriel Tse, former vice-president of the Central Ontario Chinese Canadian Cultural Centre. “Hatred and ignorance would breed more hatred and ignorance, it is a very vicious circle,” he continued. “Together we have to educate through experience … and through learning from each other.”