News

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

Vancouver B.C. –  Today, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner issued a simple poster to clarify mask-wearing exemptions permitted under law. The poster is designed to be placed alongside notices or signage about a business’s mask-wearing policies. On Nov. 24, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued a mandatory…

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

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

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner issues guidance on COVID-19 mask policies

Vancouver B.C. – The Human Rights Commissioner is calling on employers, landlords and service providers across B.C. to ensure their COVID-19 masking policies accommodate people who cannot wear a mask based on grounds protected by the B.C. Human Rights Code. In a statement released today, Commissioner Kasari Govender provides guidelines…

November 5, 2020

BC’s Human Rights Commissioner hosts online townhall for Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Wrapping up a series of online engagements with communities across the province, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender will host a virtual townhall event with participants from Metro Vancouver this Thursday, September 17, from 2:30–4:30 p.m., via Zoom. The two-hour session is an opportunity to hear from…

September 22, 2020

BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner calls for new legislation governing disaggregated demographic data…

VANCOUVER, B.C. – On Tuesday, Sept.15, BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) will issue recommendations on how the provincial government could collect and use disaggregated demographic and race-based data to reveal systemic racism and inequities in our province. The call for new legislation that would require government researchers…

September 15, 2020

BC’s Human Rights Commissioner hosts online townhall with Northeastern communities

Join us on Thursday, August 20, 2020, from 2:30-4:30 pm PDT, as BC’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender hosts an education and engagement session via Zoom with participants from B.C.’s Northeast region. The two-hour session is an opportunity to hear from people in this region about the pressing human rights…

August 17, 2020

BC’s Human Rights Commissioner hosts online townhall for rural/remote communities

Join us on Thursday, August 6, 2020, from 2:30-4:30 pm PDT, as BC’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender hosts an education and engagement session via Zoom with participants from B.C.’s rural and remote regions. The two-hour session is an opportunity to hear from people in these regions about the pressing…

August 4, 2020

BC’s Human Rights Commissioner hosts education and engagement session for Fraser Valley

On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, from 1:00–3:00 pm, BC’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender will be hosting an education and engagement session via Zoom with participants from B.C.’s Fraser Valley. The two-hour session is an opportunity to hear from people in the Fraser Valley about the pressing human rights issues…

July 16, 2020