{"id":66657,"date":"2023-06-05T08:05:40","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T15:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/?post_type=engagement&#038;p=66657"},"modified":"2026-02-04T13:38:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T21:38:20","slug":"anti-racism-legislation","status":"publish","type":"engagement","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/anti-racism-legislation\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-Racism Legislation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group engage-banner has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fbda80\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top\">Engagement was open until September 30, 2023<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-66667\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/iStock-1365562800-scaled.jpg\" style=\"object-position:48% 31%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"48% 31%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/iStock-1365562800-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/iStock-1365562800-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/iStock-1365562800-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/iStock-1365562800-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/iStock-1365562800-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/iStock-1365562800-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/iStock-1365562800-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-container\"><div class=\"engagement-page\"><div class=\"engagement-content-wrapper\"><h1 class=\"engagement-title-banner \" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/themes\/bcgov-engagement\/dist\/images\/blue-curve-bg.svg)\">Anti-Racism Legislation<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-content\"><bcgov-breadcrumb>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\">Home<\/a>\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/\">Engagement Opportunities<\/a> \n                  <span>\n        Anti-Racism Legislation\n  <\/span>\n  <div style=\"display: flex\" slot=\"breadcrumb-extra\">\n      <\/div>\n  <\/bcgov-breadcrumb>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>On this page:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#what-is\" title=\"\">The Anti-Racism Act<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#why\" title=\"\">Why legislation is needed<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#summary\" title=\"\">Engagement summary and results<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#support\" title=\"\">How to access support<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-engagement-header\"><div class=\"text-column\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who: <\/strong>The Ministry of the Attorney General<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What: <\/strong>Broader legislation that will build on the <a href=\"https:\/\/antiracism.gov.bc.ca\/data-act\/\" title=\"\">Anti-Racism Data Act<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong> Province-wide<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why:<\/strong> To address systemic racism within our governments and institutions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How: <\/strong>Online<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-engagement_category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\"><strong>Category: <\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/law-and-public-safety\/\" rel=\"tag\">Law and Public Safety<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/multi-language\/\" rel=\"tag\">Multi-language<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"image-column\"><span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"engagement-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/06\/home-banner-01-1-1536x1025-1.jpg);background-position:65% 21%\"><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is\">The Anti-Racism Act<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Anti-Racism Act (the Act), which became law on May 16, 2024, requires government to create and support an anti-racism strategy that will identify and address racism in public policies, programs and services. In doing this, the aim is to make B.C. a more equitable place for Indigenous and racialized people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Anti-Racism Act aims to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Address Indigenous-specific racism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use research conducted under the <a href=\"https:\/\/antiracism.gov.bc.ca\/data-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anti-Racism Data Act<\/a> as well as lived experiences of Indigenous and racialized communities to dismantle systemic racism and advance racial equity in B.C.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measure and report on government\u2019s progress on addressing systemic racism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Address urgent priorities identified by Indigenous and racialized peoples<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advance healing for those harmed by systemic racism by investing in programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hold government accountable and promote compliance with the Act<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Act requires government to develop an Anti-Racism Action Plan, which will outline how public bodies should address systemic racism, how progress will be measured and what accountability measures will be put into place. The plan will also include anti-racism training standards, indicators and recruitment targets for public bodies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The plan will be reviewed and amended as needed every two years and will be made publicly available.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step in implementing the Act is appointing a Provincial Committee on Anti-Racism (PCAR) to advise public bodies on the development and adoption of the Anti-Racism Action Plan and its related commitments.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2024AG0020-000521\" title=\"\">April 11, 2024 news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why\">Why legislation is needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people may think racism is not a problem in Canada, but racism exists in every province, including in British Columbia. Racism can take many forms such as systemic racism in policies and programs, or in attitudes and implicit biases. Racism harms individuals and communities and must be acknowledged and actively addressed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Government is a colonial institution and many of its existing policies and programs do not adequately represent or serve the province\u2019s diverse populations.&nbsp;It is government\u2019s ethical and moral obligation to undo this legacy and tackle systemic racism, by ensuring access to its own programs and services is equitable for all.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Anti-Racism Act provides a framework to identify and eliminate those gaps and barriers. It is another key part of how the Province is working directly with communities to address racism and hate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"summary\">Engagement summary and results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Act was developed based on direct feedback and input from people and groups who face racism every day.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2023, an extensive engagement and consultation initiative was conducted. This included targeted co-development with the First Nations Leadership Council, the Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and M\u00e9tis Nation British Columbia. We also launched a public online survey that received 2,100 responses and provided grants to community organizations, which led 225 discussion events that were attended by over 5,000 people.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This engagement process empowered people in B.C. to share their thoughts on how government should address systemic racism in its programs and services. It was one of the largest and most comprehensive community engagements led by the Province in the development of legislation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/antiracism.gov.bc.ca\/community-engagement\/engagement-reports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Read the engagement reports<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2024AG0013-000277\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">More than 7,000 people shared thoughts on upcoming anti-racism legislation&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2023AG0049-001218\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sixty-eight organizations receive grants to help shape anti-racism legislation<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"support\">How to access support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Government acknowledges that discussing, documenting and relaying experiences of racism can be difficult. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.resiliencebc.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network<\/a> offers support and resources on how to respond to and report hate crimes and incidents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, people in B.C. who witness or experience a racist incident can call the <a href=\"https:\/\/racistincidenthelpline.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Racist Incident Helpline<\/a>. The helpline is a toll-free, accessible service that offers trauma-informed, culturally appropriate support in more than 240 languages. It was created for people who have been subjected to discrimination based on the colour of their skin, culture, ethnicity or place of origin. Callers will receive support and guidance, which could include referrals to local community support services, such as counselling.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related engagements<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"related-engagements\">\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Community Advisory Group on Extortion. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety, Multi-language. Status: Open.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-open\">\n                                            Open                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/extortion\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Community Advisory Group on Extortion                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Multi-language<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/extortion\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/Extortion-Police-Car.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Daylight Saving Time. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/daylight-saving-time\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Daylight Saving Time                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/daylight-saving-time\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/DST-Banner.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Legal Professions Regulatory Reform. Categories: Economy and Jobs, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/legal-professions-reform\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Legal Professions Regulatory Reform                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/legal-professions-reform\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/02\/LegalProfessions2.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Making Family Law Better for Families. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/making-family-law-better\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Making Family Law Better for Families                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/making-family-law-better\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/02\/FLA-Phase-2-dad-and-kids-hug-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Information Schedules. Categories: Law and Public Safety. Status: Ongoing.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-ongoing\">\n                                            Ongoing                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/information-schedules\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Information Schedules                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/information-schedules\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/04\/Information-Schedules1.jpeg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Post-Earthquake Boundary Restoration. Categories: Land and Water, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/post-earthquake-boundary-restoration\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Post-Earthquake Boundary Restoration                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Land and Water<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/post-earthquake-boundary-restoration\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/03\/Post-Earthquake-Boundaries2-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":66667,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","engagement_category":[247,447],"engagement_region":[192],"engagement_status":[207],"engagement_pin_group":[],"class_list":["post-66657","engagement","type-engagement","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","engagement_category-law-and-public-safety","engagement_category-multi-language","engagement_region-province-wide","engagement_status-closed-with-results"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"pinned_engagement_toggle":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/66657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/engagement"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/66657\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83067,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/66657\/revisions\/83067"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"engagement_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_category?post=66657"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_region?post=66657"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_status?post=66657"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_pin_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_pin_group?post=66657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}