What is the new Anti-Racism Legislation?
The new Anti-Racism Legislation is a proposed new law from The Ministry of Attorney General that aims to address systemic racism within British Columbia. Anti-racism is the practice of understanding and targeting the root causes of biases resulting in inequalities in services, systems and structures that disadvantage people based on their race. The new Anti-Racism Legislation will provide laws and policies to hold the Government of British Columbia accountable to continue dismantling systemic racism in government services and programs. This legislation could support individuals who experience racism through the following:
Provide a law that allows for monetary and/or administrative penalties when provincial programs or services do not address systemic racism.
Require the province to create a whole-of-government Anti-Racism Action Plan and an Annual Progress Report to identify their progress in anti-racism work.
Create, monitor, and address targets and indicators that track increase in the recruitment, retention and promotion of Métis people in their organizations.
Increase the foundational understanding, knowledge, awareness, and cultural safety practices specific to Métis people’s history, culture, colonial violence, intergenerational trauma, and dynamics.
Respond to systemic racism uncovered through the Anti-Racism Data Act.
Allow not-for-profit organizations to apply for a grant under the Act for programs and services to address and heal the harms to communities.
Require investment in programs and services that seek to dismantle racism, address the harms of racism or lead to progressive resolution with affected groups.
Further key principles of the rights of Métis as Indigenous peoples under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Why is change needed?
Systemic racism exists everywhere, including in government policies and programs, and too many communities are facing barriers in their lives because of it. The current laws and policies present within B.C. were not developed in partnership with Indigenous peoples and, as such, do not consider alignment with the principles of UNDRIP and are harmful policies. Change is needed to ensure that the laws and policies within the government incorporate the distinct rights of Indigenous peoples and is informed through meaningful consultation and cooperation with Métis, Inuit, First Nations, and urban Indigenous peoples.
What has been done to date?
This Anti-Racism Legislation builds on the Anti-Racism Data Act passed in 2022 to safely collect disaggregated race-based data to help identify where people are not getting equitable services. In December of 2022, Premier David Eby appointed Mable Elmore as Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives to tackle racial discrimination in B.C., support work with community partners, and pass an Anti-Racism Act to better serve everyone in B.C. The Ministry of Attorney General has been working in collaboration with MNBC, Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and other marginalized and racialized communities to develop this legislation, with the goal of having this legislation introduced in Spring 2024.
What is planned?
Through the Summer and Fall of 2023, The Ministry of Attorney General is engaging in a public and Indigenous consultation and engagement process to help inform the new anti-racism legislation. This is done through Online questionnaires open to the public, community partner-led engagements and Indigenous engagement and Co-Development with Métis Nation, Métis Citizens, First Nations, Inuit, Modern Treaty Nations and Urban/Off-Reserve Populations.
Public and Indigenous engagement began on June 5 and will continue until September 30, 2023. The objectives of these engagement sessions are to:
Understand people’s experience of racism within government programs and services.
Use learnings to address the barriers and omissions that disadvantage racialized groups across B.C. when trying to get the help they need.
Conduct dedicated engagement and co-development that reflects Indigenous peoples' unique perspectives and inherent rights.
Support organizations to collect input meaningfully and safely from racialized groups to inform the new legislation.
Proposed DRIPA Section 3 Consultation and Cooperation
The Ministry of Attorney General recognizes the need for a sustained, meaningful, and trust-based approach to the co-development of new legislation with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples in BC. The Ministry is keen to partner with the Métis Nation BC and Métis Citizens to explore policy ideas that may align with Métis priorities and rights under UNDRIP through a proposed new Health Information Management Act.
I may be interested in attending the consultation on the new Anti-Racism Legislation. How can I learn more about ways to be involved?
The Ministry of Attorney General wishes to engage Métis Citizens to hear their voices and receive feedback from the community on September 13th, 2023, via a virtual engagement session from 6-7:30 pm PST.
A $100.00 honorarium will be provided to attendees to honour their time and energy in addition to access to MNBC Mental health services through the Métis Counsel and Connect Program, Crisis Line, and Wellness Workers.