Surge of hate during pandemic to be investigated by B.C. Human Rights Commission

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) –The first public inquiry from British Columbia’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner will examine white supremacy and the “disturbing surge of hate” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The commissioner’s office said in a news release there has been a significant rise in reported hate-related incidents in B.C. since 2020, which highlights an urgent need for a “trauma-informed” investigation.

“It is critical for all of us to be better prepared to prevent and respond to hate during global health, economic and social crises to protect our human rights during turbulent times,” Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender said.

In April, research conducted by Insights West in partnership with OMNI Television found more than 80 per cent of Asian-Canadians say racism is a serious problem in this province — and it’s gotten worse amid COVID-19.

Read more: Anti-Asian racism increasing, worsening in B.C. during pandemic: survey

According to the Vancouver Police Department, anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 717 per cent in 2020. The Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice has tracked 931 anti-Asian racist incidents in this country during COVID-19.

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“Many of us are uncomfortable acknowledging hate because we want to think of our country as a peaceful, respectful place. The truth is that hate is here, and it is growing,” Govender said.

Changes to B.C.’s Human Rights Code last year gave the commission new power to publicly inquire into matters that would promote and protect human rights in the province.

This makes the “Inquiry into Hate in the Pandemic” the commission’s first public investigation since Govender was appointed in September 2019.

Govender’s office says they have been prioritizing the tracking of hate incidents that are not only racially motivated, but also occur based on “religion, gender identity, disability, Indigeneity, sexual orientation, poverty or homelessness.”

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It is an “opportunity to delve deeply into the human rights implications of a particular incident or issue” and “to make recommendations to address the human rights issues raised,” the office adds in a news release.

It says after the yearlong examination, a report will be published on its findings, which will also address how to prevent hate, particularly during social upheavals like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Fear and ignorance underlie much of the rise of hate and white supremacy in B.C.,” added Govender.

To prepare for the inquiry, the commission says it has already consulted with 23 community groups close to the issue.

People will be able to provide their own experiences to assist the inquiry in the fall.