This statement is intended to provide guidance to employers, landlords, service providers and each of us as individuals about how to ensure that human rights are protected and balanced against urgent public health priorities.

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 […]

This document calls for a human rights-based response to the pandemic, even as more people get vaccinated and transmission rates drop.

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 […]

In the fall of 2020, BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) released a report with recommendations on how to collect, store, use and disclose disaggregated data in a way that furthers the aims of equity and justice without reinforcing marginalization.

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 […]

UPDATE: In a decision released May 14, 2021, the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted the Commissioner’s application to intervene in this judicial review proceeding. The hearing took place Oct. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

This brief provides an overview of increased instances of discrimination on the basis of social condition within the current context of COVID-19, as well as previous reports and consultations that have documented the extent of this systemic discrimination.

Our five-year Strategic Plan (2020/21–2024/25) lays the foundation for all our work by outlining our vision, mandate, theory of change, guiding principles, strategic priorities and approach to understanding our impact on promoting and protecting human rights in the province.

A key accountability mechanism for our work is the Commissioner’s yearly budget, service plan and annual report submission and presentation to the all-party Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services of the Legislative Assembly of B.C.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

This policy guidance from B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender details how mask-wearing requirements must accommodate people with disabilities or medical conditions that prevent them from using of non-medical masks.

Under international law, economic rights— like the right to an ‘adequate standard of living’ through necessities like food, water and housing— are protected.

This report both answers and echoes the calls to collect disaggregated data to advance human rights.