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Hate & racism

New hate speech resource launches with live educational event to help British Columbians learn human…

Vancouver B.C. – BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner has launched a new hate speech Frequently Asked Questions resource to help people better understand human rights law as it applies to hate. The Office will host a live virtual public education session in September. “Many of us feel powerless…

September 1, 2021
Hate & racism

B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner launches province-wide public inquiry into hate in the pandemic

Vancouver, B.C. – British Columbia’s first public human rights inquiry will examine the disturbing surge of hate in the pandemic, Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender announced today. BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) has been monitoring hate incidents as part of our core strategic priority work on hate…

August 18, 2021
Hate & racism

ADVISORY: Media are invited to join B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner for announcement of first public…

Vancouver B.C. – B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, will announce the topic of the first public inquiry to be conducted by her Office on Aug. 18, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Media are invited to register for a Zoom videoconference to learn more about the Commissioner’s first public inquiry: a…

August 16, 2021
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General

B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner issues guidance about proof-of-vaccination requirements as province enters Stage 3 of…

Vancouver, B.C. – British Columbia’s Human Rights Commissioner has issued new guidance to clarify the human rights considerations needed when developing rules about vaccination status. With vaccine uptake numbers rising and public health restrictions easing in B.C., many businesses, employers and service providers (known as duty bearers) are considering “vaccination…

July 13, 2021
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General

New resource for data collection harm prevention now available for researchers

Vancouver B.C. – BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) has released a summary of its recommendations on how government and other researchers can collect and use race-based and other disaggregated demographic data without causing harm to marginalized communities. The recommendations come from a report the Office released in…

June 29, 2021
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Discrimination Media Release

Commissioner launches new “I love my human rights” story series with virtual Asian Heritage Month…

BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) is hosting a virtual screening of a new “I love my human rights” video story featuring Vancouver’s Brandon Yan, in celebration of Asian Heritage Month. This video is the latest in a series BCOHRC is producing as part of our mandate to…

May 19, 2021
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Discrimination Media Release

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner seeks to tackle family status discrimination in first intervention

UPDATE: In a decision released May 14, 2021, the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted the Commissioner’s application to intervene in this judicial review proceeding. The Court said that the Commissioner’s legal submissions would be of assistance. The hearing is scheduled for July 21 and 22, 2021, in Vancouver. Vancouver…

April 15, 2021
Decolonization

B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner hosts a public conversation with Indigenous Peoples in the province

Vancouver B.C. – BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) is pleased to host a session for Indigenous Peoples to hear about the work of BCOHRC and human rights from the “grandmother perspective.” The public session, titled, “Meet B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner: A chat about human rights and the…

April 6, 2021
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General

B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner hosts webinar on data collection for systemic change

Vancouver B.C. – BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) will host two online events in March designed to teach researchers, decision makers and community groups about how race-based and other demographic data can be used responsibly to address systemic racism and other inequalities in our province. As the…

February 16, 2021
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Discrimination Media Release

Mask exemption poster for businesses now available from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner

The following media release contains information about British Columbia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic that was current at the time of its publication. Provincial health orders and guidelines may have since changed, and B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner encourages individuals and organizations to take precautions based on the most current advice…

December 17, 2020
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General

Commissioner launches educational “Human Rights 101” video with virtual event on Human Rights Day

Vancouver B.C. – BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) is celebrating Human Rights Day by hosting a virtual screening of a new short video, Human Rights 101. This animated video was created as a tool to help simplify complex human rights concepts for the public as part of…

December 9, 2020
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General

Human rights campaign prompts British Columbians to examine their internal racism

Vancouver B.C. – Large black signs with bold, white writing have popped up in municipalities across British Columbia. From billboards, transit shelters and the backs of buses, they pose a seemingly simple question with complex implications: “Am I racist?” The messages are part of the first major campaign of BC’s…

November 30, 2020