British Columbians Invited To Help Shape Anti-Racism Legislation

British Columbians are being asked to share their thoughts through an online questionnaire about how government can best address systemic racism.

The province says the information gathered will help inform new legislation that will hold government accountable for addressing systemic racism within its programs and services, and to provide supports for those who have been negatively impacted.

The legislation, being co-developed with Indigenous Peoples and set to be introduced in 2024, builds on the historic Anti-Racism Data Act.

The act 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 act, which could include law changes and revisions to policies and programs to ensure that Indigenous and racialized people are better represented in the system.

In addition to the anti-racism questionnaire, racialized, intersectional, 2SLGBTQIA+ and faith-based community organizations, and Indigenous governments are invited to apply for grants to conduct their own engagement sessions on the legislation.

Applications for community grants will be accepted until June 23, 2023, at 5 p.m.

The province says the legislation is one part of its cross-government work to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities to dismantle systemic racism and build a better, more inclusive province.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.