B.C. to provide funds, helpline to combat hate-motived violence

The province says it’s working to combat hate-motivated violence by offering more community support.

In an announcement Wednesday, Premier David Eby says a new specific anti-hate community support fund will be offered for organizations impacted by hateful incidents, such as vandalism.

In addition to the fund, Eby says a racist incident helpline is also being rolled out, which will help determine where future provincial resources could be allocated.

Organizations eligible for the fund include places of worship, cultural community centres, and groups, such as the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The fund can be used for security equipment, graffiti removal, and repairs to damaged property, in relation to hate-motivated crimes.

Eby cites increases in hate-motivated violence towards communities in B.C. due to world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict in the Middle East, and debates over Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity education.

“Our government is taking action to keep people safe and protect the places that provide comfort and connection for so many of us. These places which are now the targets of hate,” Eby said.

“We’re hearing about acts [of] islamophobia, from the Muslim community, including an attack against two Muslim women in Vancouver. We’re hearing from the Jewish community, about a rise in antisemitism, graffiti on synagogues, and threats of physical violence.”

Funding of up to $10,000 will be available for eligible organizations to apply for once the program launches on Nov. 28, the province says. This funding will be available through the province’s civil forfeiture grant program, which redirects funds from illegal activity back into communities.

The free helpline will provide confidential, trauma-informed, multilingual services via BC211, according to Eby. The province’s goal is to cultivate a “culturally safe platform for witnesses and victims of hate.”

“While it’s still important that people report violent and threatening acts to the police, we know that some people might not feel comfortable doing so for a variety of reasons,” said Attorney General Niki Sharma. “That’s why the helpline is needed to lower barriers and encourage people to seek help when they need it.”

Sharma says she also hopes the helpline will validate people’s experiences, which is often invaluable to people dealing with incidents of hate and racism. She adds the service will be available between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

June Francis, chair of the Anti-Racism Data Act Committee, says when hate is directed at a community, its impact can be intergenerational.

“It’s across temporal space. It goes over time, and it’s deeply wounding,” she said. “So I think capturing it early, showing a response quickly, showing that the committee cares, being heard and seeing a response to that, does go some way to mitigate that.”