British Columbia has introduced new anti-racism legislation designed to reduce barriers faced by Indigenous and racialized individuals when accessing provincial services and programs. The law aims to dismantle systemic racism within government institutions by implementing comprehensive reforms based on race-based data and community consultations.
Attorney General Niki Sharma emphasized the importance of this reform. “For too long, too many people have faced racial barriers when trying to access government services, just because of their identity,” Sharma stated. “This historic legislation is about changing the system and making sure everyone in B.C. can equitably access the programs and services they need with the safety, dignity and respect they deserve.”
The legislation builds on the foundations laid by the 2022 Anti-Racism Data Act and is a direct response to Action 3.6 of the Declaration Act Action Plan, which specifically calls for legislation to combat Indigenous-specific racism. A newly formed anti-racism committee will develop a government-wide action plan, and for the first time, public institutions will be mandated to revise their operational policies to eliminate discriminatory practices.
In addition to internal policy changes, the legislation will enhance the representation of Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals within the public sector workforce. Kasari Govender, B.C.’s independent human rights commissioner, highlighted the significance of these changes. “The Anti-Racism Act (ARA) is an important step toward addressing systemic racism in this province,” Govender said. “It is vital to ensure B.C. uses the data it collects about people’s experiences of racism to advance human rights in this province and this country.”
The legislation also includes provisions for financial grants to assist communities in identifying and eliminating racism, reducing the economic burden on those most affected by institutional biases.
Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, underscored the daily challenges faced by marginalized groups. “For generations, Indigenous and racialized people in B.C. have been vocal about the racism and discrimination they face when trying to do daily tasks like getting a driver’s licence or enrolling their children in school,” Elmore remarked. “This legislation brings B.C. one step closer to being a place where no one has to worry about their skin colour when reporting a crime or walking into an emergency room.”
This legislative effort was shaped by extensive community feedback, including over 2,100 responses to a multilingual online questionnaire and 225 community-led discussions involving more than 5,000 participants. This broad engagement process reflects the province’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.