Anti-Racism

Last updated: Oct 19, 2023

Many people think racism is not a problem in Canada, but racism exists in every province, including British Columbia.

Racism can take many forms and is often implicit in our attitudes, behaviours, beliefs and values. It's up to all of us to take a collaborative community approach to challenge and prevent racism and hate.

On this page

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 by collecting race-based data helps identify where people aren’t getting equitable government programs and services.

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

What was the BC Demographic Survey?

We launched the BC Demographic Survey to help us identify systemic racism and improve public services for everyone in B.C. 

The BC Demographic Survey closed on October 15, 2023.

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. The information you provided will help us to identify gaps in government programs so that we can meet the needs of more people in British Columbia.

Learn more

A research-based approach

We heard from communities around B.C. that we need to prioritize improving services for people, especially in the areas of education, employment and health. 

We’ve heard from many Indigenous and racialized people that they are being left behind because our services weren’t designed with them in mind. The Anti-Racism Data Act has been created to help us conduct research that will identify gaps in our services. This will enable us to make them more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

The research priorities were developed in collaboration with the Anti-Racism Data Committee and Indigenous Peoples. This includes BC First Nations and Métis Nation BC.

Under the Anti-Racism Data Act, we must release research priorities every two years. These priorities will keep us focused on the areas that matter most to Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities.

Our work isn’t limited to these research priorities. We’ll continue to address systemic racism in all our programs and services.

Check out antiracism.gov.bc.ca

Broader anti-racism legislation

We’re developing broader anti-racism legislation, to be introduced in 2024, that will hold government accountable to address systemic racism uncovered through our data collection, and to provide supports for those who have been negatively impacted.

The legislation, set to be introduced in 2024, aims to identify the gaps and barriers Indigenous and racialized people face when accessing public services through voluntary data collection. The new legislation will require government to address systemic racism uncovered through the Anti-Racism Data Act.

Your input matters!

In June 2023 we opened an online questionnaire to hear from people of all backgrounds on how they think government should address racism in B.C.  

The Questionnaire closed on September 30, 2023. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives.

Learn more about this engagement

Access support through Resilience BC

Resilience BC: Anti-Racism Network offers resources on how to respond to and report hate crimes and incidents. It is a is a multi-faceted, province wide approach for challenging racism.

  • 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.
     
  • 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.

Anti-racism definitions

Definitions of key words and phrases related to anti-racism and equity.

These terms are defined in the context of the Anti-Racism Data Act. We recognize they are not the only definition of the term

What is anti-racism?

Anti-racism is the practice of identifying, challenging, preventing, eliminating and changing the values, structures, policies, programs, practices and behaviours that perpetuate racism.

Learn more about racism

Visit Resilience BC: Anti-Racism Network to find anti-racism tools, Human Rights documents, news articles, experts and more!