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About the Racial Identity Data Standard

Last updated on January 29, 2026

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Overview

The Anti-Racism Data Act (ARDA) became law in 2022 in response to years of advocacy from Indigenous and racialized communities. ARDA was also shaped by recommendations from B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner’s report “The Grandmother Perspective”, which called on government to collect race-based and other disaggregated data. The report recommended that government should only collect this data where necessary for the purpose of highlighting systemic inequalities and injustices, and to do so in a way that does not further perpetuate stereotypes. 

ARDA authorizes ministries to collect, use and share personal information such as Indigenous and racial identity data to help identify and eliminate systemic racism and advance racial equity in programs and services. With this information, ministries can identify where people are facing barriers when accessing government services in areas such as education, health care or employment.  

While ARDA has rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, it does not set out requirements for the full data lifecycle. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) rules apply for parts of the lifecycle that ARDA does not cover, including data storage and protection. In this way, the two pieces of legislation work together to ensure continuity across B.C.'s privacy and data management framework.

ARDA aligns with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) by requiring consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Governing Entities on data initiatives, including the Racial Identity Data Standard.

ARDA also works alongside the Anti-Racism Act (ARA), which became law in 2024. ARA builds on ARDA’s foundation by requiring ministries to take meaningful action to address systemic racism identified through data.

Prior to ARDA, the Province did not have a consistent approach to collecting information about aspects of people’s identity, such as their race or ethnicity. This meant that either race-based data was not being collected, or it was collected in different, sometimes harmful ways. This has led to distrust and increased the risk of harm due to Indigenous and racialized people being asked to provide sensitive information multiple times. This lack of consistency also makes it hard to use and compare data, leading to challenges identifying where communities face barriers accessing and using government services.

The Racial Identity Data Standard has been developed in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples and in collaboration with the Anti-Racism Data Committee. The standard provides a consistent and more culturally safe way to collect racial identity information to identify systemic racism and strengthen programs and services for everyone in B.C.

Systemic racism can occur when racialization impacts the way people receive public sector programs and services. The standard includes a broad set of identity variables as racialization can be shaped by many aspects of identity beyond physical appearance. This can include:

  • Racial identity
  • Ethnicity
  • Religion or spirituality
  • Language proficiency

Data about someone’s racial identity is personal and sensitive. This type of data has also been used to monitor and harm Indigenous and racialized people (for example, Chinese head tax and residential schools). Due to these historical and present-day harms, some Indigenous and racialized people are understandably hesitant to provide their personal information to government.

It will take time to build trust. It is essential that the collection, use and sharing of racial identity information is done carefully, and in a way that results in benefits for the communities that provide their data.

Application of this standard

The definition of “public bodies” in ARDA is limited to B.C. government ministries (ministries). This means that only ministries, and service providers collecting, using and/or disclosing personal information for a ministry pursuant to an agreement, may rely on the authority under ARDA to collect, use and disclose personal information. For questions about the definition of a “service provider” please contact your ministry privacy officer or Legal Services Branch.

Ministries that collect, use or disclose Indigenous and/or racial identity information under ARDA should apply the Indigenous and Racial Identity Data Standards and should use the Guidelines to the Indigenous Identity and Racial Identity Data Standards.

Ministries and other public bodies collecting, using or disclosing racial identity information under another legislative authority (for example, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) are encouraged to use the variables and values in the Racial Identity Data Standard as instructed and draw on the guidelines for support. 

Authority

The Anti-Racism Data Act

Anti-Racism Data Act, SBC 2022, c 18

Who to contact for advice on this standard

For questions or comments regarding this standard please email data-act@gov.bc.ca.

Distinctions-based

We acknowledge the specific rights, interests, priorities and concerns of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. We respect and acknowledge their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws and governments.

Acknowledgments

The Government of B.C. developed the Indigenous Identity and Racial Identity Data Standards (the identity data standards) and guidelines in consultation and cooperation with First Nations in B.C. and Métis Nation British Columbia (Indigenous Peoples), and in collaboration with the Anti-Racism Data Committee.

The committee published the Anti-Racism Data Committee report and provided input into the identity data standards and guidelines, reflecting extensive discussion on the potential of disaggregated data to advance equity alongside the challenges of collecting such data safely and responsibly. Recognizing definitions, language, knowledge and experiences change over time, the data standards and accompanying guidelines are intended to evolve through periodic review and updates.

The Anti-Racism Data Committee has provided advice and input to the Ministry of Citizens' Services and anticipates continued engagement as the data standards advance through implementation and learning, in support of highlighting systemic inequalities and injustices of Indigenous peoples and racialized communities.

This work was also supported by advice from B.C.’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, B.C.’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner and other subject matter experts from within and outside of the B.C. government.

The Ministry of Citizens’ Services would like to recognize and acknowledge the people and organizations who contributed to this work. Thank you for your expertise, wisdom and thoughtful comments during our work together.

Standard as a living document

Recognizing definitions, language, knowledge and experiences change over time, this data standard will evolve with those changes through periodic reviews and updates.