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Disaggregated demographic data collection in British Columbia: The grandmother perspective

On Tuesday, Sept.15, BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner issued recommendations on how the provincial government could collect and use disaggregated demographic data to reveal systemic racism and inequities in our province.

Our lead recommendation calls for new legislation that would require government researchers to collect data in service of systemic equality—with the meaningful involvement of marginalized communities.

Learn more and read the report

Racism and White Supremacy in B.C.

Click here to read the full video transcript.

Hi, I’m Kasari Govender, BC’s Human Rights Commissioner. Today I join Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin in taking the ‘Different Together’ anti-racism pledge, and in speaking out and taking action against racism in British Columbia. There can be no doubt that the violence we are witnessing is catalyzed by the pandemic and the challenges it brings. COVID-19 has changed our lives forever, bringing great uncertainty and heightening anxiety and fear. That fear has some of us falling back on old racist tropes, racist words that have quickly escalated to physical violence. We must recognize that the hate we are witnessing is part of a long histories of racism in our province and our communities, but hate is not inevitable. We all have a role to play in interrupting racism and hate with our words and actions. It’s up to each of us to stand up for and with our friends and neighbors. Often the act of bearing witness is enough to change the dynamic of a situation. You can stand beside the person being targeted and let them know that you're here for them. You can choose to walk away with them from the situation so that they don't have to walk away alone. You can record what’s happening and report it. Where it’s safe for you to do so, you can intervene directly to say that spreading hate is not ok. Please join me in speaking up and standing up against racism in our communities.

BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner is committed to reducing the presence of hate and white supremacy in our society. The recent surge of racist violence targeting Asian, Black and Indigenous people in B.C. calls us all to action.

Click here for more.

BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner acknowledges the homelands of the Indigenous Peoples of this place we now call British Columbia, and honours the many territorial keepers of the Lands on which we work.

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