B.C. promises change on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Monday marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the B.C. government says it taking new steps to address racism through legislation.

“In the coming months we will be introducing new anti-racism data legislation to help to eliminate systemic racism by supporting secure race-based data collection. This data will be critical in helping us identify and address the gaps and inequalities that exist in how government delivers programs and services,” a statement released from the B.C. government reads in part.

Rachna Singh, the Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, adds that it will pave the way for better outcomes for those who rely on these programs like policing, health care, and more.

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Singh has met with several organizations to develop the framework for the new legislation, including members of B.C.’s Black and other racialized communities.

She also has met with the First Nations Leadership Council, the Modern Treaty Alliance, the Métis Nation BC and members within the BC Association for Aboriginal Friendship Centres regarding ways to ensure all stakeholders are at the table.

The move comes on the heels of a new Indigenous-focused coursework requirement proposed for B.C. high school students in an effort to bring about reconciliation. Several leaders in the Indigenous community called the mandatory education an encouraging step.

Meanwhile, hate-based incidents remain high across the country, according to a new report from Statistics Canada, which found those of Chinese (30%), Korean (27%), and Southeast Asian (19%) descent to have suffered more hate-based attacks than other people during the pandemic. BIPOC people also reported they felt their neighbourhoods were less safe.

“In 2020, police-reported hate crimes targeting race or ethnicity almost doubled (+80%) compared with a year earlier,” the report from the agency said.

In B.C., attacks went up 60 per cent over previous years, but many have pointed out these numbers are likely under reported, as distrust remains for many in going to the police when an incident happens.

For instance, hate crimes on Indigenous people more than doubled from 2019 to 2020, but still accounts for a small portion of police-reported crimes. Self-reported data found a large difference, and the agency says that in turn affects the numbers.

It’s up to everyone to come together and reject all forms of racism, discrimination, and hatred – and to take action, whenever and wherever we see it. Today, let’s recommit to doing that, and let’s continue to build a future that’s fairer for everyone. https://t.co/hCr0f5eBVI

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 21, 2022

A B.C.-specific study remains ongoing examining incidents of hate during the pandemic. The online survey closed earlier this month and the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s recommendations are expected to be released by the end of the year.