News

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

Vancouver B.C. – B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner has applied to intervene in her first case since her appointment in September 2019. The Commissioner is asking the Supreme Court of British Columbia to allow her to make arguments in a case involving discrimination against parents of young children by their employer,…

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

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 COVID-19…

February 16, 2021

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

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

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…

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