Sort by

filter by

Hate & racism

Fighting hate requires new strategies: B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner

Survey finds 72% never reported hate incidents to anyone Vancouver B.C. – An overwhelming number of people who participated in a public survey for the Inquiry into hate in the pandemic say they never reported the hate incidents they experienced to anyone – not the police, a manager, human resources,…

June 8, 2022
Abstract green icon representing discrimination
Discrimination Story

Housing and your human rights – Renter Alert

Everyone has the right to be free from discrimination when renting an apartment,house, co-op unit, or other space. Under the B.C. Human Rights Code, you cannot be discriminatedagainst because of: • Indigenous Identity• Race• Colour• Ancestry• Place of Origin• Sex• Gender Identity• Sexual Orientation• Physical Disability• Marital Status• Family Status•…

May 17, 2022
Hate & racism

NEVER ACCEPT HATE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES

Vancouver based organizations and companies join together to combat rising acts of hate.   The NAH Collective announced today the official launch of the “Never Accept Hate (NAH)” campaign to combat rising incidents of hate in British Columbia. The campaign, including community calls to action, is a grass-roots initiative to…

April 26, 2022
Abstract green icon representing discrimination
Discrimination Media Release

Commissioner calls on Province to end ‘cruel and unjust’ incarceration of migrants

Vancouver B.C. – B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner says detaining migrants in jails for immigration issues is cruel, unjust and violates human rights commitments. “People held under immigration law have committed no crime, and it is wrong that we treat them as if they have,” said Commissioner Kasari Govender. “I am…

April 4, 2022
Abstract green icon representing discrimination
Discrimination Media Release

Commissioner urges Public Health Officer to maintain mask mandates

Vancouver B.C. – Many students across B.C. returned to school this week amid a pandemic that has not ended, but without the protection offered by mask mandates. On March 16, 2022, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner urged the Public Health Officer (PHO) to maintain the mask mandate to ensure protection for…

March 28, 2022
Abstract green icon representing discrimination
Discrimination Media Release

Release: Letter to the Public Health Officer on the ending of the mask mandate

Vancouver B.C. – BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner issued a letter to the Public Health Officer on the end of B.C.’s mask mandate on March 16, 2022. In that letter, B.C.'s Human Rights Commissioner highlighted the inequitable impacts of ending the mask mandate and urged for the Public…

March 28, 2022
Abstract green icon representing discrimination
Discrimination Media Release

B.C. Supreme Court decision on family status a disappointing outcome for gender equality in B.C.

Vancouver B.C. – B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner said a B.C. Supreme Court decision on family status impedes gender equality in the workplace. B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner was an intervenor in Gibraltar Mines Ltd. v. Harvey and saw it as a key test of B.C.’s Human Rights Code’s protection against discrimination…

March 15, 2022
Hate & racism

Hundreds speak out against hate as Inquiry reaches mid-point for public participation

Vancouver B.C. – More than 1700 people who either witnessed or directly experienced a hate incident have participated in an online survey for the Inquiry into hate during the pandemic. British Columbians are sharing stories about being assaulted, verbally abused, threatened online and accosted in grocery stores. People report experiencing…

February 24, 2022
Hate & racism

1 in 4 British Columbians have experienced or witnessed hate incidents since start of pandemic

B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner urges people to share experiences via Inquiry into hate in the pandemic Vancouver B.C. – A new poll by BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) confirms a disturbing number of hate incidents during the pandemic. One in four people in B.C. have experienced or…

February 2, 2022
Abstract green icon representing discrimination
Discrimination Media Release

Commissioner celebrates Human Rights Day with video featuring elementary school students

Vancouver B.C. – What does the next generation of British Columbians think about equal rights? BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) is celebrating International Human Rights Day 2021 with a heartwarming new video featuring elementary school students. In the two-minute short, a diverse group of young students share…

December 10, 2021
Abstract teal icon representing topics on detention
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