British Columbia has appointed the first members of the Anti-Racism Data Committee, a key part of B.C.'s recently enacted Anti-Racism Data Act, focused on dismantling systemic racism in all provincial government programs and services.

British Columbia has appointed the first members of the Anti-Racism Data Committee, a key part of B.C.'s recently enacted Anti-Racism Data Act, focused on dismantling systemic racism in all provincial government programs and services.

Nearly 160 people applied to join the Anti-Racism Data Committee and 11 were selected. The committee has been created to identify and break down barriers in government programs and services for Indigenous, Black, and other people of colour.

It is the first anti-racism act in Canada to be co-developed with Indigenous Peoples.

The committee's work will be supported by a voluntary population survey, conducted by BC Stats and built with Indigenous, Black and other people of colour.

Once this data is collected it will be linked with existing program data and used to analyze key sectors, such as education, policing, and health care.

The committee's inaugural meeting will be next month.