Anti-Racism

Systemic racism affects people across British Columbia and can create barriers to accessing programs, services and opportunities. These barriers can be part of policies, processes and institutions.

Addressing racism requires ongoing work across government, in partnership with communities, to build more equitable and inclusive outcomes for people in the Province.

On this page

• The Anti-Racism Act (ARA)
• Provincial Anti-Racism Action Plan
• The Anti-Racism Data Act (ARDA)
• Resilience BC

The Anti-Racism Act (ARA)

The Government of British Columbia passed the Anti‑Racism Act on May 9, 2024, strengthening the Province’s commitment to identifying and removing systemic racism in policies, programs and services.

The Anti-Racism Act requires government to take action on systemic racism identified through the data collected using the Anti‑Racism Data Act and the experiences of Indigenous and racialized communities. The Act supports people and communities harmed by systemic racism, particularly by finding gaps in government programs, policies or services that create or show unintended inequities in outcomes.

Together, the Anti‑Racism Act and the Anti‑Racism Data Act support lasting improvements in racial equity across British Columbia.

Provincial Anti-Racism Action Plan

Released on June 1, 2026, the Provincial Anti‑Racism Action Plan (PDF, 4.6MB) sets out the Province’s priorities and commitments to address systemic racism experienced by Indigenous and Racialized communities. The Plan outlines coordinated actions by provincial ministries and agencies, organized across Indigenous-specific and Racialized-community streams.

Key highlights of the two-year Provincial Anti-Racism Action Plan include actions covering jobs, health care, public safety, education, labour, children and family services, the legal system, climate response, finance, municipal affairs and the public service. The Plan provides measurable, practical actions that core ministries will take between 2026 and 2028 to remove barriers to government supports.

The Anti-Racism Data Act (ARDA)

We're working hard to make B.C. a more equitable, inclusive and welcoming province for everyone. One of the ways to support this work is the Anti-Racism Data Act, which allows us to collect personal information such as race, age or gender for the purposes of addressing systemic racism and advancing racial equity. With this information, we can identify and understand where people are experiencing barriers accessing government services.

The Anti-Racism Data Act became law on June 2, 2022. 

A research-based approach

We’ve heard from many Indigenous and racialized people that they are being left behind because our services were not designed with them in mind.

To address this issue, we developed research priorities through consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples (including BC First Nations and Métis Nation British Columbia) and in collaboration with the Anti-Racism Data Committee. These priorities are updated every two years and keep us focused on the areas that matter most to Indigenous and racialized communities.

Each year, we release findings from this research. In May 2026, we released information about career movement for Indigenous and racialized employees in the BC Public Service. Since 2024, we've also released findings related to:

• Racial equity in the BC Public Service
• Economic inclusion in B.C.
• Health outcomes for three chronic conditions

We’ll use what we learn to make our services stronger for everyone in B.C.

Safely collecting personal information to address systemic racism

In early 2026, government released the Indigenous Identity Data Standard and the Racial Identity Data Standard and accompanying guidelines. These standards support a more consistent approach to collecting, using and sharing Indigenous and racial identity information.

These standards support the collection of high-quality and culturally safe demographic information. This will help identify systemic racism in government services and understand where they can be improved for everyone in B.C.

We're also working on other anti-racism initiatives to make B.C. a more inclusive, equitable province.

Learn more about our research and work to address systemic racism under the Anti-Racism Data Act on our website.

Check out antiracism.gov.bc.ca

Resilience BC

Access support through Resilience BC

Resilience BC: Anti-Racism Network

Resilience BC is a province-wide Anti-Racism Network. It is currently undergoing a program revamp, with the new program launching in September 2026.

The network connects communities with the information, tools, training, and supports needed to respond effectively to racism and hate while working to prevent future incidents. It operates through a “Hub and Spoke” model, with two regional hubs (North and South) that will coordinate resources and training, paired with community-based spokes that will be active in up to 40 communities across British Columbia.

• Learn more about racism
  Anti-racism tools, Human Rights documents, news articles, experts and more

• Find your community network
  You have the right and the responsibility to live in a society free from racism and hate. Connect with your Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network member today using our interactive map.

• Racist Incident Helpline
  The Racist Incident Helpline is a free, confidential, toll-free service open for calls Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PT) for anyone in British Columbia who has experienced or witnessed racism or hate. It provides culturally safe, trauma-informed support to help individuals navigate their options and connect with community organizations who provide mental health, legal support, peer support. Support is available in 240 languages.(https://racistincidenthelpline.ca)

• Report and support 
  Every person in British Columbia has a right to feel safe and participate in their community. Racism and hate makes that impossible by creating fear and exclusion. We need to work together to end racism and hate in our communities by understanding hate, how to report it and how to step in when we witness it.