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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
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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
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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