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Discrimination

Commissioner welcomes Anti-Racism Act following extensive consultation

Vancouver, B.C. – B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, is welcoming the B.C. government’s introduction of anti-racism legislation today. The Anti-Racism Act (ARA) was tabled in the B.C. Legislature this afternoon, following extensive consultation with Commissioner Govender’s Office. The ARA builds on the Anti-Racism Data Act (ARDA), which was implemented…

April 11, 2024
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General

Series tells human rights story of four B.C. communities

Vancouver, B.C. – What is the state of human rights in B.C.? That is the question B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner has been seeking to answer through her Office’s multi-year Baseline Project, which today released a series of Community Briefs. The Briefs provide a snapshot of human rights issues in four…

April 10, 2024
A woman with light-medium toned skin and brown curly air cocks her head to one side, contemplating. She wears bright colourful makeup and yellow tassel earrings.
  • Discrimination / Case Study

Addressing discrimination against a tenant

You manage a property and are in charge of the rental units. One of the renters tells you that other people living in the building have harassed her because of her gender identity. She says…

January 4, 2024
A distressed woman has her face in her hand. She has light skin tone, black hair and a dark green sweater.
  • Discrimination / Case Study

Sexual harassment by landlord

You rent a one-bedroom apartment near the university where you are taking classes. Your landlord offers you gifts like flowers and candy. He makes excuses to come to your apartment, sometimes early in the morning…
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Discrimination

Statement: Human Rights Commissioner calls for action to counter rising antisemitism and Islamophobia

In response to news of surging incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia here in B.C., Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender issued the following statement: In these dark times, I know I share the heaviness in my heart with many across B.C. and around the world. The devastating events in Israel and…

November 6, 2023
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Discrimination

Statement from B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner in response to the hate fuelled marches planned for…

In response to news of hate-fuelled marches planned in cities and towns across B.C. for Sept. 20, 2023, Commissioner Kasari Govender issued the following statement: I am very disturbed by news of hate fuelled marches planned for Sept. 20, 2023, in several places across B.C. The right to peaceful demonstration…

September 19, 2023
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Discrimination

Pay transparency legislation too weak to close gender wage gap

Vancouver B.C. – In reaction to the tabling of pay transparency legislation in the B.C. legislature earlier today, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner states that while there are some positive elements to the bill, it lacks the approach necessary to make a significant difference on pay equity in the province. B.C.…

March 7, 2023
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COVID-19

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
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Discrimination

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
A white woman is working as a dental hygienist. She is cleaning the teeth of a young Black patient.
  • Discrimination / Case Study

Missing work at the office

You are a dental hygienist and work part-time at a local dentist office. You are pregnant but haven’t told anyone at work yet. During the first few months of your pregnancy, you experience severe morning…

January 30, 2022
A close-up portrait of an Asian person working as catering staff
  • Discrimination / Case Study

Running a catering company

You run a catering company. Your most important customer is an office right across the street. You deliver regular lunch orders every single day and larger orders every week. You usually assign your morning prep…