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Detention

B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner’s Police Act submission data reveals disturbing pattern of discrimination in B.C.…

Vancouver B.C. – Today, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, released her submission to the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act (SCORPA), which makes recommendations to address a disturbing pattern of discrimination in policing in our province. BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner’s (BCOHRC) written submission, “Equity is…

November 24, 2021
Decolonization

Statement from B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner on the addition of Indigenous identity as a protected…

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender issued the following statement regarding the introduction of Bill 18, which adds Indigenous identity as a protected ground against discrimination in B.C.'s Human Rights Code, and Bill 29, which amends the Interpretation Act pursuant to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.…

November 17, 2021
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Discrimination Media Release

ADVISORY: Media are invited to join B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner for release of embargoed submission…

Vancouver B.C. – B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, will release results of a new data-driven report which reveals a disturbing pattern of discrimination among B.C. police services. Media are invited to register for a Zoom videoconference to learn more about “Equity is safer: Human rights considerations for policing reform…

November 17, 2021
Hate & racism

ADVISORY: Media are invited to join B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner for the opening ceremony of…

Vancouver B.C. – Tomorrow, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, will mark the official beginning of hearings in the Inquiry into hate in the pandemic with an opening ceremony. Through this ceremony, we will acknowledge the courage of the people sharing their stories during the Inquiry and the work communities…

November 3, 2021
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Discrimination Media Release

Commissioner celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month with “I love my human rights” video launch and virtual…

Video story features LGBTQ+ refugee advocate Danny Ramadan Vancouver B.C. – 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 Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ+ refugee advocate Danny Ramadan. This video is the latest in a…

October 20, 2021
Hate & racism

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner seeks to intervene in a case involving alleged online hate speech

UPDATE: In a decision made on Oct. 15, 2021, the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted the Commissioner’s application to intervene in this judicial review proceeding. The Court said the Commissioner has a clear interest in this proceeding and that the Commissioner may make both oral and written submissions. The…

September 20, 2021
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