B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner urges people to share experiences via Inquiry into hate in the pandemic
VANCOUVER: A new poll by BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) confirms a disturbing number of hate incidents during the pandemic. One in four people in B.C. have experienced or witnessed a hate incident since the start of the pandemic.
“It is an ugly and disturbing trend. Some members of our communities are being treated as less than human and therefore somehow deserving of vitriol and violence. It is devastating and unacceptable,” said Commissioner Kasari Govender.
“But hate is not inevitable. That’s why we are conducting a public inquiry into hate in the pandemic and why we need to hear from people who have firsthand experiences of hate. We want to ensure our recommendations are rooted in the experiences of those most impacted.”
BCOHRC launched its year-long inquiry in August 2021. The intent of the inquiry is to examine hate in all its forms: not only racism and racial hate, but also hate directed at groups protected under B.C.’s Human Rights Code—including hate perpetuated on the basis of religion, gender identity, disability, Indigeneity, sexual orientation, poverty or homelessness.
People who have experiences to share are asked to fill out a confidential, online survey: bchumanrights.ca/hate-survey
The survey is available online from January 31 to March 6, 2022 in 15 languages.
It is also available by phone at 1-855-412-1933 or with peer support by emailing [email protected]. You can find more information about these options here.
“By sharing their experiences, people can make a difference,” said Govender. “If you are one of the 26 per cent of British Columbians impacted by hate during the pandemic, our inquiry team wants to hear from you.”
At the close of the Inquiry, the Commissioner will release a final report with recommendations to address, prevent and eliminate incidents of hate during times of crisis—including the COVID-19 pandemic—and in future.
