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Democracy
Vancouver B.C. – More than a thousand origami cranes hang from the ceiling at Kelowna’s Downtown Library, representing the personal stories and identities of community members to debunk harmful misinformation about sexual orientation and gender identity. The Transform the Words project involving 13 advocacy groups, libraries and mental health associations was just one of 50 projects in seven regions across the province that took part in the Human Rights Commissioner’s Community Amplifier project to help stop the spread of misinformation.
“When people can differentiate between fact and falsehood, misinformation loses its power—and we all gain the ability to better participate in our communities and democracy,” says Commissioner Kasari Govender. “Getting our facts straight is essential in protecting and promoting human rights, especially for vulnerable communities.”
The Community Amplifier project, part of the Misinformation: Can You STOP It? campaign, provided mini grants of $500 to classrooms, youth groups and Indigenous and community organizations to counter mis and disinformation. Topics included addressing racism, transphobia, colonialism, ableism, climate change, homelessness, abortion healthcare access, transit and food access and the rights of newcomer seniors. 3,294 people participated directly in the Community Amplifier projects, reaching 54,814 people across the province in locations such as Nelson, Ladysmith, Dawson Creek, Port Hardy and Fort St. John.
“We launched this campaign to raise awareness about how misinformation is damaging our society—human rights in particular—and what we can do about it. In our public inquiry culminating in the 2023 report From Hate to Hope, I found that misinformation and disinformation grew immensely during the pandemic and continues to be a major driver of hate and discrimination in B.C. and around the world,” says Commissioner Kasari Govender. “I have been so inspired by how these projects have demonstrated the power of people working together to cultivate belonging and debunk harmful myths during a time of rampant polarization.”
Spotlights of select Community Amplifier projects and an interactive map of projects across British Columbia is available at bchumanrights.ca/resources/awareness-campaigns/stop.
BCOHRC’s Community Amplifier project is one part of the Office’s Misinformation: Can You STOP It? campaign. The campaign began with a nine-foot interactive cellphone traveling around B.C. that gamifies finding and stopping the spread of mis and disinformation online by inviting visitors to take a quiz. Then a video using a fake crime spree committed by birds offered a playful perspective on misinformation, followed by a digital advertising campaign to reach people across British Columbia. The campaign, which reached more than eight million people, offers the STOP method for combatting misinformation: Share (only) when you’re sure; Track down the truth; Outsmart the outrage; and Poke at the point of view.
Quotes
Maddi Krulicki, Indigenous producer, engineer and recording artist from the Fraser Valley with roots in the Snuneymuxw First Nation and Stó:lō Territory
The Stó:lō Community Futures Corporation created pamphlets that support Indigenous-owned businesses address misinformation in their community.
“Working together, like paddling a canoe, reminds us that everyone has a role in supporting the whole. When we move with shared purpose, respect and understanding, we create stronger, more balanced communities and businesses. Clear communication, healthy boundaries and mutual accountability help us navigate challenges while maintaining connection. When we misunderstand one another, the journey becomes harder, but when we pull together with mutual respect, we move forward with strength and harmony.”
Alan Gonzales, Director of Communications, Advocacy Canada, Kelowna
Advocacy Canada created Transform the Words, an art installation that consisted of hundreds of colourful origami cranes. Each crane included statements about sexual orientation and gender identity and invited dialogue to dispel misinformation on this subject.
“We folded paper to share our voices. These origami cranes carry us forward, transforming division into dialogue and dialogue into community care. Art has the power to build bridges of collaboration across differing worldviews. Recognizing and harnessing our shared values is the definitive path to building a safer, better world.”
Abortion Support Collective, Victoria
The Abortion Support Collective created a zine, Your Context, Your Choice, that helps people navigate pregnancy choices while addressing misinformation.
“In a climate where information is inaccessible, mis and disinformation thrives. Our project “Your Context, Your Choice: A Community Roadmap for Considering All of Your Options During a Pregnancy on Southern Vancouver Island,” consolidated key perinatal, abortion, and reproductive healthcare resources in one accessible resource.”
Related resources
- On May 4, the Commissioner released a call for a “Return to Facts.”
- Misinformation: Can You STOP It? campaign
Media contact
For more information about the projects, to request interviews with Commissioner Kasari Govender or the Community Amplifier participants, please contact [email protected] or 604-306-7369.
Media kit
Visit our media kit for images of Commissioner Kasari Govender, pronunciation guidance, bios and more.
About BCOHRC
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner exists to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination and injustice in B.C. by shifting laws, policies, practices and cultures. We do this work through education, research, advocacy, inquiry and monitoring. Learn more at: bchumanrights.ca
About the Commissioner
Kasari Govender began her work as B.C.’s first independent human rights commissioner in September 2019. As an independent officer of the Legislature, Commissioner Govender is uniquely positioned to ensure human rights in B.C. are protected, respected and advanced on a systemic level. Her work through BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner has included public inquiries into experiences of hate in the pandemic and detentions under the Adult Guardianship Act, a report on systemic discrimination in policing, community embedded research about a range of human rights issues experienced by people living in British Columbia, public awareness campaigns about ableism and racism and guidance to government that, among other things, informed the creation of both the Anti-Racism Data Act and the Anti-Racism Act. Commissioner Govender was reappointed for a second term beginning in September 2024.
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